Veiled Child Labor: A Focus on the Almajiranci and Yar Aiki Systems in Northern Nigeria

Child labor is like a powder keg. It remains a persistent global issue, with millions of children subjected to exploitative practices that strip them of their fundamental rights, access to education, and overall well-being. Although child labor is an increasing issue around the globe, this paper focuses on Northern Nigeria because the Almajiri systems and Yar aiki systems covertly function as platforms for child labor. To examine this issue, this paper adopts a doctrinal approach. It argues that legal reforms alone are insufficient to address these issues. Other challenges, such as insecurity and economic factors, also contribute significantly to children’s vulnerability to child labor. This paper advocates for strategies that include revising the penalties and prison sentences under child labor laws. Furthermore, the strategic use of digital/media tools like social media, local radio, and television can amplify advocacy efforts, raise awareness, and foster community-specific solutions. Overall, the ultimate goal of this paper is to promote systemic changes that expose how these systems are enablers of child labor violations, under the guise of cultural or religious norms, and to explore likely effective recommendations.