THE PROBLEM OF CHILD LABOUR AND EXPLOITATION IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF ODIGBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE)

ABSTRACT

This work examined the problem of child labour and exploitation in Nigeria, a Case Study of Odigbo Local Government Area in Ondo State. The Objective of the study is to determine if child labour depends on the socio – economic status of parents/ guardians, to compare the relationship in academic performance between children engaged in child labour and those who do not. The research question of the study is to determine if child labour depends on the socio – economic status of parents/ guardians. The research design is descriptive research design method. Population of the Odigbo Local Government Area covering in the 2006 census, Odigbo Local Government Area has a population of about 360,260. The questionnaire distributed to Odigbo Local Government Area is 400 copies. From the findings, it was clear that child labour depends on the socio-economic status of parents/ guardians. It revealed that the relationship in academic performance between children engaged in child labour and those who do not. Therefore, it was recommended that Government should channel resources to people-oriented programmes such as poverty eradication, small and medium -scale loans scheme, subsidy on petroleum and agricultural products, as well as free, qualitative but compulsory education at all levels. There should be binding legislation against child labour. This will help to check mate any perpetrator. Such persons must be apprehended for effective process.