.jpeg)
MAEJT Nigeria a nongovernmental organisation advocating for welfare of children and youths has organized a peaceful sensitization walk at Seme Border, Badagry.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the plight of underage domestic workers who often face abuse, unpaid labor, and denial of basic rights.
Hunge Gabriel Semeton, MAEJT Nigeria’s national commission manager, addressed journalists during the walk, stating, “Every day, thousands of children are trapped in hidden homes underpaid, overworked, and invisible.”
He called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and stakeholders to prioritize child protection. “All children deserve equal treatment. What you do for your own child should extend to others,” he emphasized.
Elizabeth Odion, MAEJT Nigeria’s Program Manager, stressed that child domestic workers are entitled to the same rights as other children, including education, play, and vocational training. “No child should be maltreated.
These children deserve dignity and opportunities, not exploitation,” she said. The walk drew support from local residents, civil society groups, and child rights activists, amplifying the call for systemic change.
Child domestic labor remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with many underage workers subjected to hazardous conditions. MAEJT Nigeria’s campaign seeks to enforce existing child protection laws and encourage communities to reject exploitative practices. The organization urged government agencies to strengthen monitoring and penalize offenders.
MAEJT Nigeria vowed to expand its advocacy across Lagos and other states. The group plans to engage policymakers, religious institutions, and families to ensure safer environments for vulnerable children.
With increased awareness, they hope to dismantle systems that perpetuate child labor and build a future where every Nigerian child thrives.