AN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO) STANDARDS ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

International labour standards promote decent work in freedom, equity, security, and dignity. They are ILO conventions and recommendations setting global principles and rights at work. This study examines the application of International Labour Organization (ILO) standards on the protection of children’s rights in Nigeria. Nigeria’s ratification of these core conventions reflects a formal commitment to eliminating child labour and safeguarding children from economic exploitation. The study adopts a doctrinal and analytical approach,  reviewing  relevant  legal frameworks, anti-trafficking legislation, alongside policy initiatives and institutional mechanisms established in collaboration with the ILO. The findings reveal that Nigeria has made significant progress in aligning its domestic legal and policy structures with international labour standards. Notably, the prohibition of hazardous child labour, increased awareness campaigns, and the integration of child protection measures into national development strategies demonstrate a degree  of  compliance  with ILO  obligations.  However,  the  study  identifies  a  persistent  gap between   legal   commitments   and practical implementation.   Key   challenges   include inconsistencies in national laws, weak enforcement mechanisms, inadequate labour inspection systems,  and  limited  institutional  capacity.  Furthermore,  the prevalence  of  child  labour  in Nigeria remains high, largely driven by socio-economic factors such as poverty, limited access to quality education, cultural norms, and the dominance of the informal sector. These structural issues  undermine  the  effective  application  of  ILO  standards  and  hinder  the  realization  of children’s rights in practice. The study argues that while Nigeria is largely compliant at the normative level, it falls short in operational enforcement, resulting in only partial adherence to international standards. The paper concludes that strengthening the protection of children’s rights  in  Nigeria  requires  a  multifaceted  approach,  including legal  harmonization,  enhanced enforcement   mechanisms,   expansion   of   social   protection   programmes, and   sustained community-level engagement. It emphasizes that the effective application of ILO standards is contingent not only on legislative alignment but also on addressing the broader socio-economic conditions that perpetuate child labour.