Children as the Unlikely Breadwinners of Nigerian Families

As Nigeria contends with challenging economic conditions, families are encountering difficulties in providing for their children, leading to a notable increase in child labour. Dayo Oyewo explores the obstacles and trials faced by these young individuals.

Thirteen-year-old Esther Onyeka was found seated on the roadside under the blazing sun, vending groundnuts to make a living. She appeared visibly distressed after a passerby snatched a package of her groundnuts without remuneration. Onyeka had been compelled to become a street vendor in Lagos due to financial hardships within her household. Like her, numerous children are now involved in street trading as their families grapple with economic difficulties.

Onyeka reluctantly commenced vending roughly four months ago, following the decline of her father’s business, leaving her mother to shoulder the entire financial burden for the family. Without any other recourse, Onyeka took to the streets to vend groundnuts in order to sustain herself and contribute to the family’s finances, including her education.

This surge in child street vending has been observable in various locations in Lagos, such as Iyana-Ipaja, Ketu-Ojota to Maryland, and Ile-Epo to Oshodi, where children as young as seven can be witnessed striving to earn a living through street vending. Many of them are exposed to various hazards, such as road accidents, theft, and regrettably, some even fall victim to abduction, assault, and sexual assault.

The practice of child street vending not only jeopardizes their lives but also deprives them of their right to an education. The Child Rights Act, implemented in 2003 to shield children from exploitative labour, notwithstanding, millions of Nigerian children still partake in physically taxing work either to survive or aid their families.

A recent survey disclosed that 43 per cent of Nigerian children between the ages of five and 11 are involved in child labour. The International Labour Organization has advocated for policies to address this increasing rate of child labour, citing economic disparity as one of the primary factors contributing to the issue.

The severe economic realities faced by families in Nigeria have had an adverse impact on the overall welfare of children. The National Bureau of Statistics has reported that over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, constituting 63 per cent of the population. The high inflation rate and the elimination of fuel subsidies have only exacerbated the situation, propelling more families into poverty and resulting in parents struggling to provide for their children.

The repercussions of child labour on the psychological and emotional development of children have raised concerns among experts. Many children, like Onyeka, have been emotionally impacted as they are deprived of a normal childhood, education, and socio-economic opportunities.

Policymakers and experts have called for urgent measures to address the issue of child labour, underscoring the importance of providing financial and social support to families contending with economic hardships. The enforcement of the Child Rights Act, already in place, necessitates proper implementation and governmental support to ensure the protection of children’s rights.

The issue of child labour in Nigeria is a multifaceted challenge that requires comprehensive efforts from the government, social welfare, and education systems to safeguard the rights of vulnerable children. Only through a collective and coordinated approach can the country address the root causes of child labour and provide adequate support to families in need.