society
Experts call for regulation, licensing of domestic workers
Experts call for regulation, licensing of domestic workers
By Ebere Agozie/Anita Uzoagba
Experts have called for urgent formalisation and regulation of domestic work in Nigeria, stressing that domestic workers remain largely invisible, unprotected and vulnerable to exploitation.
They made this know at the conclusion of the five-day 7th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organized by the Rule of Law Development Foundation (ROLDF) on Friday in Abuja.
Mrs Ozioma Izuora, Lecturer, Baze University, Abuja said that domestic workers are the people you see every day. They have always been part of our households, yet they have remained invisible and unprotected.
According to her, the Igbo apprenticeship scheme is a positive institutional pathway for training and wealth creation.
“It is unfortunate that the government has not paid enough attention to formalising or learning from this model.
Izuora said that cases of exploitation, underpayment, physical abuse and sexual violence are still widespread, despite protections under the Child Rights Act.
“Stories abound of children being beaten, burned, denied food or left to sleep outside.
“Some agents run rackets where they rotate young girls between households, and many of these children have no contracts, no voice and no access to their own wages”.
She added that some domestic workers, due to lack of education and guidance, also violate trust by abandoning work without notice or engaging in criminal activity.
She underscored the need for government monitoring, licencing of private agencies, and the establishment of a dispute-resolution mechanism.
She added that Nigeria’s adoption of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189 places it under obligation to ensure decent working conditions for millions of domestic workers who have long been marginalised.
“If domestic work is to be formalised, then government must monitor implementation closely”, she said.
Mr Hygenus Ibaga, a Legal Practitioner, said that domestic work remains one of the most undervalued and least regulated sectors in Nigeria despite its vital role in supporting households and the wider economy.
According to him, domestic work in Nigeria has historically been treated as a private or charitable arrangement rather than a formal job.
“We often say, I’m helping that small boy or girl but what we want now is a legal framework that recognises the cleaner or caregiver as a staff entitled to rights and protection.
He noted that while the Constitution protects rights such as dignity, liberty and freedom from discrimination, the absence of a dedicated law leaves domestic workers vulnerable.
He added that existing laws such as the Child Rights Act, the Penal Codes and criminal laws offer some protection, but enforcement remains weak.
Ibaga noted that Nigeria has yet to ratify ILO Convention 189, which guarantees rights to fair remuneration, working hours, rest periods and social security.
He noted that two earlier Senate bills have been consolidated into the Domestic Workers’ Protection Bill, which the Senate passed on Nov. 12, 2025 and the House of Representatives is yet to pass the bill.
He further urged the National Assembly to strengthen implementation capacity, speed up passage of the bill and create mechanisms that domestic workers can actually access.
For her part, Mrs Linda Raji, project Officer, ROLDF, said that weak institutions and entrenched social norms are the biggest obstacles to enforcing domestic workers’ rights in Nigeria.
According to her, informality remains the major barrier to enforcement, as recruitment of domestic workers often happens secretly through unlicensed agents without any written contract.
“I once overheard someone say, I need a girl, 16 years old, send her here, within two days, the girl arrived. You wonder if the parents even know where their child is.
She noted that domestic workers are predominantly women and girls, many of them underage, poorly educated and at constant risk of retaliation if they report abuse.
She added that another challenge was the long-standing cultural belief that domestic work was not a real work and therefore undeserving of dignity or rights.
She expressed concern that some recruitment agents may continue to exploit the system if licencing and oversight remain weak.
“Many employers genuinely do not know their obligations, so sensitisation is key”.
She stressed the need for safe reporting channels, such as hotlines and anonymous systems, to protect workers who fear losing their jobs.
She called for nationwide awareness campaigns by the National Orientation Agency and civil society groups, stressing that domestic work should not involve children below 16.
Dr. Balogun Makanjuola, said that Nigeria’s failure to use data-driven decision-making, alongside widespread poverty and unemployment, remains a major obstacle to effectively protecting domestic workers in the country.
According to him, the supply of cheap labour, especially girls and young people, continues to rise due to poverty, out-of-school rates, and lack of opportunities.
He added that domestic workers accept low pay because employers know they have no bargaining power.
“The law of supply applies here. When workers are in excess, the price of labour falls and that is why people pay N20,000 or N30,000, even my personal driver, a graduate, earns N30,000, and there are ten others waiting to take the job,” he said.
He noted that applying formalised standards without considering economic realities could create friction.
He emphasised that unemployment, poverty, poor governance and regulatory capture are major structural barriers that may limit the effectiveness of the proposed domestic worker legislation.
“If we do not address poverty, bad governance and corruption, the legislation will struggle. Domestic workers need protection, but implementation must be grounded in Nigeria’s socioeconomic realities,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Massoud Oredola, said that there should be greater protection and fair treatment of domestic workers in Nigeria, drawing on Islamic teachings that highlight leadership, duty, and compassion within households.
“Domestic workers should not be overburdened with work and additional tasks should either come with assistance or fair compensation, similar to overtime and holiday pay standards globally.
“The law alone is insufficient to guarantee justice, and that kindness and service to others remain fundamental principles, our prime purpose in this life is to help others. If you cannot help, at least don’t hurt, exploit or add to their misery.
“Service and kindness to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth, we are all tenants; God Almighty is our landlord,” he said.
Journalists for Good Governance Shines Searchlight on Local Government Administration
…Calls for Accountability in Nigeria’s Grassroots Governance
LAGOS, Nigeria — A civil society coalition known as Journalists for Good Governance(JGG) has intensified public debate on transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s local government system, urging media professionals, civil society actors, and citizens to hold grassroots leaders accountable.
Speaking an event in Lagos recently, the acting chairman of the society, Comrade Bunmi Obarotimi said that despite reforms such as the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting financial autonomy to all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), systemic challenges continues to hinder effective service delivery and responsible stewardship of public funds.
“Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people — yet too often they remain the least transparent. Without civic oversight and vibrant media, promises of autonomy ring hollow.” the acting chairman said.
The Journalist for Good Governance emphasised crucial roles that journalists can play in uncovering discrepancies in council spending, flagging poor service delivery, and educating citizens on their rights. Their call comes amid wider efforts by media and civic organisations to bridge accountability gaps. The civil society initiatives had previously launched monitoring campaigns to track local government expenditures and have been quietly advocating for transparency in how public money is deployed.
The leaders of the Journalists for Good Governance (JGG) highlighted the importance of physical assessment and citizens engagement on projects to boost people’s confidence, urging local councils to adopt open data platforms and proactive information dissemination in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Experts say the majority of LGAs currently lack operational websites or digital portals, further limiting public scrutiny.
The Journalists for Good Governance initiative aligns with sustained advocacy by civil society groups and governance experts calling for a collective approach to strengthening democratic accountability, and has decided to engage in critical and holistic assessments of how Local Governments is being run and the impact and quality of projects they embark-on and to address deficits in transparency and public trust.
Meanwhile, some state governments have signalled support for improved community engagement. In Lagos State, authorities reiterated a commitment to enhancing community media platforms as vehicles for civic participation and accountability at the grassroots level.
The renewed spotlight on local government administration has reignited public debate over fiscal responsibility and priorities. Controversies such as the widely criticised Adamawa council chairmen’s wives trip to Istanbul — which drew public outrage for perceived misuse of public funds — underscore why watchdog groups say stronger oversight mechanisms are urgently needed at the grassroots.
Citizens and activists have welcomed the journalists’ initiative, calling for sustained media engagement that goes beyond headlines to influence policy and accountability reform.
The civic rights advocates note that real change will require robust legal frameworks, a free press, and empowered communities equipped to demand transparency at every level of governance.
As Journalists for Good Governance mobilises its members, the coming months are likely to see heightened media attention on grassroots administration — from council budgets and service delivery to the enforcement of public information laws and digital transparency initiatives.
Good Politics Or Just Power? Two Years After The Elections
Two years after the last general election, Nigerians are justified in asking a direct question: is our democracy stronger today than it was then? Democracy is not measured by how many offices a party controls or how loudly politicians speak. It is measured by integrity, accountability, and the lived experience of the people. Good Politics demands more than victory at the polls; it demands moral leadership and visible progress in the lives of citizens.
The debate over amendments to the Electoral Act should have provided an opportunity to deepen transparency and strengthen public confidence. Instead, hesitation to fully embrace reforms that safeguard credible vote transmission and accountability has fueled doubt. In a nation where electoral credibility remains fragile, any reluctance to reinforce safeguards sends the wrong signal. Good Politics stands firmly for processes that are open, fair, and beyond suspicion.
The party in power commands significant authority across the federation. With control of the presidency, many state governments, a strong presence in the National Assembly, and influence at local levels, there should be no anxiety about reforms that ensure free and fair elections. Confidence in leadership is demonstrated not by dominance, but by a willingness to subject power to scrutiny. Politics rooted in the omoluabi ethos embraces fairness, transparency, and responsibility, even when inconvenient.
This is the standard long associated with Awolowo, whose politics emphasized discipline, social welfare, education, and institutional strength. His vision was not merely about holding office, but about transforming society through principled governance. Good Politics follows that tradition. It rejects manipulation, arrogance, and the concentration of power without accountability. It insists that authority must serve the people, not itself.
Beyond electoral reforms, democracy must deliver tangible relief. Across the country, households struggle with rising prices and shrinking purchasing power. Small businesses are burdened by escalating costs. Young people search for opportunities that remain scarce. When economic hardship deepens, democracy feels abstract. Good Politics recognizes that political legitimacy is reinforced when citizens can see and feel the benefits of governance.
The concentration of power within a single political structure should translate into coordinated reform and measurable development. When it does not, questions naturally arise. Democracy weakens when dominance replaces performance. It weakens when loyalty to party eclipses loyalty to principle. The omoluabi tradition teaches that character defines leadership. Without character, authority becomes hollow.
A healthy democracy requires credible elections and compassionate governance. It requires leaders who understand that politics is a moral enterprise. Two years into this administration, many Nigerians remain uncertain about the direction of both our democratic processes and their daily welfare. If democracy is to endure, it must reflect Good Politics: fairness in competition, integrity in conduct, and compassion in governance. Anything less falls short of the standard that our history and our values demand.
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE COMMENDS STATE-FEDERAL COLLABORATION IN ZAMFARA
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has commended the Zamfara State Government for its decisive contribution to security operations through the donation of newly acquired armoured personnel carriers (APCs), surveillance drones, and other critical operational equipment to troops and security agencies in the state.
This commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Convener of the GCGMSI, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
The equipment was formally commissioned on Wednesday, February 18, by the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR (rtd.), in a ceremony at the Government House, Gusau. The event was attended by senior military officers, heads of security agencies, and top officials of the Zamfara State Government.
The GCGMSI, in its statement, hailed the donation as a “transformative and timely intervention” that aligns perfectly with its core objective of advocating for and supporting tangible measures that enhance the operational capacity and welfare of Nigeria’s security forces. The Initiative praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration for moving beyond rhetoric to actionable, material support, describing the move as a “blueprint for state-level collaboration in national security.”
“The provision of these assets by the Zamfara State Government is a testament to visionary leadership and a profound commitment to the peace and stability of its people,” the GCGMSI statement read. “It represents the exact kind of synergistic partnership between state and federal authorities that the GCGMSI champions. This initiative will significantly close operational gaps, boost the confidence of our gallant troops, and send a strong message to criminal elements.”
Speaking at the commissioning, General Musa emphasized that sustained collaboration is indispensable in confronting the nation’s evolving security challenges. He specifically commended Governor Lawal for his proactive support.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering dedication to the security of Zamfara State,” the Defence Minister stated. “The provision of these armoured vehicles, surveillance drones, and other operational equipment will undoubtedly boost the morale and operational effectiveness of our troops and other security agencies on the ground. This is a commendable effort that should be emulated by others.”
The newly commissioned assets, which include multiple APCs and advanced surveillance drones, are expected to dramatically enhance the mobility, protection, intelligence-gathering, and rapid response capabilities of security forces, particularly in the state’s remote and difficult terrains where anti-banditry operations are ongoing.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to being a reliable partner in the security architecture. He urged security agencies to deploy the new resources responsibly and effectively to safeguard lives and property.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing and deepening such partnerships with state governments across the nation to strengthen coordination and resource allocation in the collective fight against insecurity.
The GCGMSI concluded its statement by urging other state governments to take a cue from Zamfara’s “bold and pragmatic” approach, affirming that such concrete support is vital for achieving lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
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