European Union, EU, has called on the federal government to prioritise the rights and protection of children from all forms of discrimination and intimidation.
Speaking at the International Human Rights Day with the theme; “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – Advancing Rights and Protection for Children in Nigeria”, organised by EU Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC Programme and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), EU officials highlighted the importance of protecting children.
The event marked the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism and the commemoration of the 2024 International Human Rights Day.
EU Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the need for states to move beyond merely adopting the Child Rights Act and focus on its effective implementation.
Mignot stressed the urgency of safeguarding children’s rights, calling for increased government funding to address their needs.
“Children remain at the heart of our human rights strategy and are central to our external relations.
“Every child, whether in Europe or elsewhere, should enjoy the same rights and live free from discrimination or intimidation. While the adoption of the Child Rights Act across all states, including the FCT, is commendable, effective implementation remains the key,” Mignot said.
He urged the Nigerian government to ensure that children have unhindered access to education, healthcare and social services, adding that adequate funding and institutional support are critical to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
Mignot also addressed the broader need for preventing and combating gender-based violence, highlighting EU’s commitment to invest in prevention and protection measures.
“At the European Union, we invest in prevention and protection—pillars fundamental to breaking the cycle of violence and safeguarding survivors. Together, these pillars form a powerful framework for creating a safer and more equitable world.”
He called for collective efforts to promote a culture of human rights, noting that neglecting human rights undermines democracy, erodes the rule of law and weakens societal values of equality and social justice.
“Promoting and protecting human rights is challenging, but we must remain resilient in the face of barriers such as institutional resistance, lack of funding or apathy. Advocacy for social justice must continue.”
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, appealed to state governments yet to domesticate the Child Rights Act to do so urgently. He lamented the persistent issues of child labour and systemic failure in safeguarding children’s rights.
“Despite legislative milestones such as the enactment of the Child Rights Act in 2003, children in Nigeria continue to face significant challenges, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, and systemic failures in rights enforcement. As of today, 11 states are yet to gazette the Child Rights Act, leaving millions of children without adequate legal protection,” Kalu said.
He expressed concern over child labour, citing the National Child Labour Survey of 2022, which revealed that 24 million of Nigeria’s 62.9 million children are engaged in child labour, many in exploitative and hazardous conditions.
Kalu reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to prioritise the rights of children and called for joint actions to eradicate child labour in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
