A REVIEW OF THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD LABOUR IN NIGERIA: EFFECT AND CONSEQUENCES

ABSTRACT: Nigerian children are working under unhealthy condition due to the necessity that pushes them to labour. Therefore, this study deals with the incidence and consequences of child labour in Nigeria. The prevalent and prime reason for child labour in Nigeria is the economic poverty that is seriously confronting the majority of Nigerians to some degree. It is the rate of poverty in Nigeria which leads biological parents and guardians to allow their biological children to work in the streets as hawkers, prostitutes and traffickers. This study seeks to examine the causes of child labor in Nigeria. The question is, are Nigerians created as a poor people or does the climate render them poor? The impact of child labour on children discussed in the study while effect of child labour in Nigeria was critically studied in the best interests of children. This research further studies the consequences of child labour in Nigeria from the social, economic, ethical, moral, and criminal perspectives. The findings shows that both parents and government contributed to the child labour in Nigeria due to their failure to provide adequate provisions for their children or citizens at large.