The rise of lithium mining in Nasarawa, Nigeria has led to increased child labour, with children working in dangerous conditions in illegal mines. Poor families, targeting survival, send children to work instead of school. Local merchants thrive under lax regulation, selling to companies that neglect ethical sourcing. Activists stress the need for systemic reform to protect children’s rights amid growing global lithium demand.
Nasarawa, Nigeria, has emerged as a hotspot for illegal lithium mining, driven by the rising global demand for lithium for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage. This illicit sector is exploiting impoverished children, who work in hazardous conditions within unlicensed mines to support their families. An investigation into these operations revealed children as young as five engaged in laborious and perilous tasks, often without access to education.
The mining process in Pasali is primitive; miners descend into perilous pits using chisels and hammers, with some crawling through dangerously narrow tunnels. Transferring raw lithium ore is common, often handled by groups of children who work long hours for meagre earnings. Interviews with local miners and buyers uncovered a troubling connection, where Chinese companies purchase lithium without investigating its sources or extraction conditions, further entrenching the cycle of exploitation.
Local merchants, operating without fear of regulation, contribute to the problem, as they knowingly employ child labour in their mines. Activists raise alarms about the systematic child exploitation rampant in the state, urging government reforms and corporate responsibility. Efforts are underway to combat this, including legislative amendments and social programs aimed at improving children’s education and welfare among mining communities.
Child labour in mining, particularly for lithium, has become a significant issue in Nigeria, exacerbated by poverty and lack of education. The unlicensed mines in Nasarawa have proliferated as demand for lithium has surged, creating a new economic landscape where children, often orphans or from impoverished families, are forced into dangerous work. This situation is further compounded by weak enforcement of laws protecting children’s rights and safety in the mining sector.
The illegal lithium mining operations in Nasarawa highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and social welfare programs. As global demand for lithium grows, it is critical for both local and international stakeholders to prioritise human rights and ensure children are not subjected to unsafe working conditions. Continued advocacy and reform efforts are essential to rectify these abuses and safeguard vulnerable populations.
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