…Child Labour, Abuse, Poverty Push Millions Out Of School
… World Children’s Day Exposes Nation Failing Its Young
Daud Olatunji
Thirteen-year-old Temitope Adebayo should have been in school on the morning she was found hawking around Panseke, Abeokuta. Instead, she balanced a tray of soft drinks on her head, sweating under the scorching sun, when she narrated the tragedy that pushed her out of the classroom.
“I lost my mother when I was in JSS1,” she said quietly, shifting her weight as if trying to shrink from the memory.
“After her death, my father could not help with my schooling. He later met a woman who needed children to help her in her shop and at home. My dad told me to go and stay with her for child labour. It was not my choice.”
For Temitope, childhood ended abruptly.
“There is no hope that I will go to school because the woman said she cannot send another person’s child to school,” she added, fighting back tears.
Her emotional wounds run deep.
“Since then, I have always been in a bad mood. I worry about the kind of death my mum went through. I want to see her—even in my dreams—but she doesn’t show her face anymore.”
Temitope is the second of ten children.
“Our firstborn died two years ago after my mother died. I have not seen my other siblings since then, but I hope to see them this Christmas,” she said, her voice cracking under the weight of hope and despair.
Then she whispered the dream that still refuses to die:
“If I see anybody who can send me to school… education is very expensive now.
Nobody that is not capable will just decide to send children to school.”
Temitope’s story is the silent reality of millions of children as Nigeria marks World Children’s Day, with this year’s theme, “My Day, My Right.”
… A Nation Where Childhood Is A Daily Battle
World Children’s Day 2025 calls for renewed focus on every child’s right to survival and development — yet in communities across Ogun State, survival itself is no longer guaranteed.
According to UNICEF, about 15 million Nigerian children engage in child labour, including hawking, domestic servitude, and dangerous manual work.
In 2024, Nigeria’s out-of-school children figure rose to an estimated 18.3 million, the highest globally.
Behind each number is a child like Temitope.
“Feeding, School Fees… It’s Not Easy” — Parents Speak
Parents in Ogun State told PLATFORM TIMES about their struggles as economic hardship worsens.
“Feeding, paying school fees, buying materials—it’s not easy,” said Mrs. Mosun, a mother of three.
“We want the government to reduce the cost of education and give our children access to better schools.”
Hidden charges in public schools such as uniforms, books, ‘development’ levies, often keep children out of class.
For Mrs. Majiyagbe, a puff-puff seller, survival itself has become an art: “we eat what we can afford like pap, rice, or swallow. You must cut your cloth according to your size. Some people go beyond what they have and land in trouble. To survive in Nigeria now, you must manage what you have and pray.”
… Children Know Their Rights, Even When No One Protects Them
Despite her circumstances, Aminat, a 12-year-old JSS2 student, articulated the needs of millions of Nigerian children:
“I want the government to fix our schools, give us books, and help our parents by reducing the price of food,” she said.
Although she tries to remain hopeful, survival shadows her childhood.
“I feel safe most of the time, but sometimes we don’t have light or enough food at home. In school, we need more teachers and better classrooms. I want to become a doctor. But I need good education and people to guide me.”
… Stakeholders: Nigeria Must Protect Its Children Before It Is Too Late
Speaking in Okelewo, Abeokuta, father of three, Samuel Chibuke, insists that parents must take responsibility:
“Charity begins at home. The way you train your child matters a lot. Take them to school yourself, monitor their movements. Don’t leave your children in the hands of strangers.”
He warns that no child under 15 should live unsupervised.
“Parents and the government must work together to raise responsible children.”
“Caution them, especially the girls” — Expert
Health insurance professional Musa Olowolagba worries about children’s moral and physical safety.
“Some children play too much. We need to caution them, especially the females, on how they dress. There are rapists everywhere. Parents need to teach their children so they won’t be victims.”
She also emphasizes medical safety:
“We must take our children to proper medical facilities—not just any chemist.”
“My parents don’t tolerate nonsense” — 16-year-old Roheeb
For Ajibowale Roheeb, a student at Catholic Comprehensive High School, strict parenting and access to healthcare have shaped his upbringing.
His remarks reveal a child who understands that discipline and protection are part of love.
When Discipline Becomes Abuse: Tope Alabi’s Painful Revelation
Gospel singer Tope Alabi recently recounted the horrifying abuse she endured as a child.
She described how her aunt flogged her until patterned marks formed on her skin—then rubbed ground scotch bonnet pepper (ata rodo) into the wounds.
The burning left her screaming and running before she was pinned down.
Her story mirrors the experiences of many children subjected to: physical abuse (flogging, burns, forced labour) ; emotional abuse (insults, threats, comparisons) ; sexual abuse (molestation, rape, early marriage) and neglect (denial of food, healthcare, protection, education)
… Parents Lament Poverty, Broken Homes, Exploitation
During a vox pop in Panseke, parents expressed frustration: “parents resort to child labour because of poverty and step-parent influence,” said Mrs. Oluwayemi Damilola.
She quoted a common line from abusive guardians: “they say: ‘I’m not the one who made your father leave. I’m not the one who made your mother irresponsible.’”
Mrs. Omotayo Adeyemi accused some parents of turning children into financial tools:
“Some parents collect money on their children and use them as ATM. Some pay school fees from it, others take them to learn work.”
… Education: The First Right, Yet the Hardest to Access
For many families, schooling remains a luxury.
Titilayo Alayo, a mother of four, explained:
“You must have a job to send a child to school. For me, I have a husband as if I am not married at all. I am the only one sponsoring my family.”
Her father’s death forced her to shut down her shop temporarily.
“I ended up hawking minerals at Panseke to afford my son’s JAMB fee.”
Another parent, Fausat Alao, stressed the value of learning:
“If you are educated, it will make work easier. Some jobs require education. Not going to school doesn’t mean you won’t succeed, but 90% assurance is that you must be educated to be someone important in this world.”
“My Day, My Right” Must Not Be an Empty Theme
Children and parents interviewed demanded urgent action saying that government must: equip schools with learning materials, furniture, and modern facilities ; enforce child protection laws ; strengthen social welfare systems ; reduce education costs and hidden charges and
combat child labour and prosecute offenders.
Parents were advised to supervise and protect their children ;prioritize schooling ;
avoid harmful discipline and provide emotional support
Contributions from :Firdaus Obiremi, Taiwo Nofiu, Progress Akinleye, Mariam Aleem, Boluwatife Olabode, Nusirat Idowu, Chiamaka Nwanana & Opeyemi Olokun.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
