Hidden Crisis: Child Domestic Work Surges Across West Africa
Child protection experts are sounding the alarm over a dramatic increase in child domestic labor throughout West Africa, warning that thousands of children are becoming trapped in hidden exploitation behind household walls.
The urgent warning emerged during a two-day West African meeting held in Lagos State, organized by MAEJT Nigeria with support from Freedom Fund. The gathering brought together representatives from NAPTIP, the International Labour Organisation, various ministries, and child-rights organizations.
Invisible Victims Behind Closed Doors
Halilu Awesu, National Coordinator of MAEJT Nigeria, described child domestic work as one of the most overlooked forms of child labor despite its growing prevalence across Nigerian cities and West African communities.
"Most child domestic workers operate indoors and are rarely seen. This invisibility makes it difficult to protect them," Awesu stated during the meeting.
He revealed that many children—including those migrating from neighboring countries like Togo and Benin—enter domestic work hoping to support their families, only to find themselves working excessively long hours and facing abuse that often goes unreported.
The movement, originally formed in Côte d'Ivoire, is survivor-led, with many members having experienced domestic servitude themselves.
Justice Delayed, Protection Denied
Awesu expressed deep concern about the challenges in securing justice for exploited children, sharing troubling experiences from Lagos Island where rescue efforts were blocked by local influence.
"Law enforcement agencies are trying, but access to justice is often delayed. Sometimes we are told to seek permission from certain influential individuals before any action can be taken," he explained.
He called for stronger legislation, better grassroots enforcement, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns, particularly at local council levels.
Ime Samuel-Etukudoh, Programme Manager at Freedom Fund, emphasized the critical need for sustained community education and cross-border cooperation.
"Many cases of abuse happen behind closed doors," Samuel-Etukudoh noted, urging residents to report suspicious incidents using the organization's toll-free line: 0800-800-801.
Citing alarming ILO statistics, he revealed that more than 13 million children across West Africa are currently trapped in various forms of child labor, including domestic servitude.
Legal Consequences and National Warning
Hajara Tunde-Osho, Spokesperson for NAPTIP, characterized child domestic work as a "hidden crisis" and warned that anyone exploiting children faces arrest and prosecution.
"It is wrong for a child to carry the burden of making money for their parents. If you place a child in a situation that harms their health, education or emotional wellbeing, you are going against the law," Tunde-Osho declared.
She added that the agency regularly encounters cases where underage girls are exploited in brothels and beer parlors, or children are confined to homes without access to education or skills training.
"If you don't build, if you don't educate, if you don't empower today, you are only creating a broken future," she warned, highlighting how these practices undermine Nigeria's future development.
Stakeholders at the meeting unanimously called on governments across the sub-region to strengthen enforcement of existing child-rights laws, enhance protection for migrating minors, and improve community vigilance to address this growing humanitarian crisis.
