Innocent Onoh
A coalition dedicated to investigating, reporting, and prosecuting cases of child labour and domestic servitude in Nigeria has been established in Lagos. The initiative focuses on children living with non-parental guardians as domestic helpers, a practice that often leads to abuse and exploitation.
The coalition comprises Catholics from various parishes, Muslim representatives, and members of multiple Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
It emerged from a workshop titled “Ending Domestic Servitude and Child Labour in Nigeria,” organised by Dominicans for Justice and Peace (DJP) in collaboration with the Africa Faith and Justice Network.
Under this initiative, advocacy group members will investigate and report cases of child abuse to a central body, which will escalate them to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for prosecution, with legal and civil society support.
Leading the national campaign, the Dominican religious order, founded by Saint Dominic, is spearheading efforts to combat the widespread issue of domestic servitude.
Speaking at the workshop, Rev. Father Aniedi Okure, a Permanent Delegate to the United Nations, urged Nigerian authorities to fully implement the Child Rights Act to safeguard children’s futures.
Father Okure emphasised that domestic servitude subjects children, particularly girls, to trauma, exploitation, and abuse, often ruining their lives.
He called for greater awareness, stating, “These practices not only harm our children but also our future, perpetuating cycles of poverty and suffering.”
The workshop also aimed to mobilise local volunteers within the Catholic Church and civil society organisations to strengthen advocacy efforts.
African Regional Promoter for Justice and Peace, Rev. Father Frederick Obananya, encouraged participants to monitor their communities, including places of worship, for signs of child abuse.
A structured system has been set up to ensure swift reporting to NAPTIP and legal intervention when necessary.
Atinuke Odukoya, Co-founder and Executive Secretary of the Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), urged participants to remain vigilant, warning that child servitude and abuse could affect anyone.
With this coalition, stakeholders are taking a firm stand against child exploitation, striving to create a future where every child is protected, valued, and given the opportunity to thrive.