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Experts call for regulation, licensing of domestic workers

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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.

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Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)

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Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*

Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*

 

January 29, 2026 – A prestigious appointment has been announced in the reign of Emperor Solomon Wining 1st, recognizing Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang as the *Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*. The official certificate, designated STE.001-1 E, was presented to Rt Hon Inyang during a ceremonial investiture.

 

As Secretary General, Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang will *monitor and coordinate* the implementation of government policies and programmes, serve as an advisory institution to the Government, drive policy formulation, harmonization, and implementation, and oversee the activities of ministries, agencies, and departments.

 

The appointment was proclaimed by *Emperor Prof. Dr. Solomon Wining*, Emperor of the United Kingdom of Atlantics and Empire Worldwide, and co-signed by *Empress Prof. Dr. Sriwan Kingjun*, Empress of Attica Empire, under the auspices of the 5 Billions Humanitarian Projects Incorporated.

 

The ceremony underscores the commitment to strengthening governance and humanitarian initiatives within the UKA (Worldwide) jurisdiction, effective immediately in the reign of Emperor Solomon Wining 1st.

Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*

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GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS BOKO HARAM VICTIMS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND RENEWED EFFORTS FOR PEACE

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GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS BOKO HARAM VICTIMS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND RENEWED EFFORTS FOR PEACE

 

In a solemn message of condolence and resolve, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu mni (Rtd), the Sarkin Yakin of Biu Emirate, has expressed profound grief over a recent deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on citizens at a work site. The attack, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives, has been condemned as a senseless and barbaric act of inhumanity.

 

The revered traditional and military leader extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the entire people of Biu Emirate, Borno State, and all patriotic Nigerians affected by the tragedy. He described the victims as “innocent, peaceful, hardworking and committed citizens,” whose lives were tragically cut short.

 

General Biu lamented that the assault represents “one too many” such ruthless attacks, occurring at a time when communities are already engaged in immense personal and collective sacrifices to support government efforts in rebuilding devastated infrastructure and restoring hope.

 

In his statement, he offered prayers for the departed, saying, “May Almighty Allah forgive their souls and grant them Aljannan Firdaus.” He further urged the living to be encouraged by and uphold the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the victims.

 

Emphasizing the need for collective action, the retired Major General called on all citizens to redouble their efforts in building a virile community that future generations can be proud of. He specifically commended the “silent efforts” of some patriotic leaders working behind the scenes to end the security menace and encouraged all well-meaning Nigerians to join the cause for a better society.

 

“Together we can surmount the troubles,” he asserted, concluding with a prayer for divine intervention: “May Allah guide and protect us, free us from this terrible situation and restore an enduring peace, security, unity and prosperity. Amin.”

 

The statement serves as both a poignant tribute to the fallen and a clarion call for national solidarity in the face of persistent security challenges.

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When a Nation Outgrows Its Care

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When a Nation Outgrows Its Care.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“Population Pressure, Poverty and the Politics of Responsibility.”

Nigeria is not merely growing. It is swelling and faster than its institutions, faster than its conscience and far faster than its capacity to care for those it produces. In a world already straining under inequality, climate stress and fragile governance, Nigeria has become a living paradox: immense human potential multiplied without the social, economic or political scaffolding required to sustain it.

This is not a demographic miracle. It is a governance failure colliding with cultural denial.

Across the globe, societies facing economic hardship typically respond by slowing population growth through education, access to healthcare and deliberate family planning. Nigeria, by contrast, expands relentlessly, even as schools decay, hospitals collapse, power grids fail and public trust erodes. The contradiction is jarring: a country that struggles to FEED, EDUCATE and EMPLOY its people continues to produce more lives than it can dignify.

And when the inevitable consequences arrive (unemployment, crime, desperation, migration) the blame is conveniently outsourced to government alone, as though citizens bear no agency, no RESPONSIBILITY, no ROLE in shaping their collective destiny.

This evasion is at the heart of Nigeria’s crisis.

The political economist Amartya Sen has long said that development is not merely about economic growth but about expanding human capabilities. Nigeria does the opposite. It multiplies human beings while shrinking the space in which they can thrive. The result is a society where life is abundant but opportunity is scarce, where children are born into structural neglect rather than possibility.

Governments matter. Bad governments destroy nations. Though no government, however competent, can sustainably provide for a population expanding without restraint in an environment devoid of planning, infrastructure and accountability.

This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable and therefore necessary.

For decades, Nigerian leaders have failed spectacularly. Public education has been HOLLOWED out. Healthcare has become a LUXURY. Electricity remains UNRELIABLE. Social safety nets are virtually NONEXISTENT. Public funds vanish into PRIVATE POCKETS with brazen regularity. These are not disputed facts; they are lived realities acknowledged by development agencies, scholars and ordinary citizens alike.

Yet amid this collapse, REPRODUCTION continues unchecked, often CELEBRATED rather than QUESTIONED. Large families persist not as a strategy of hope but as a cultural reflex, untouched by economic logic or future consequence. Children are brought into circumstances where hunger is normalized, schooling is uncertain and survival is a daily contest.

The philosopher Hannah Arendt warned that irresponsibility flourishes where accountability is diffused. In Nigeria, responsibility has become a political orphan. The state blames history, colonialism or global systems. Citizens blame the state. Meanwhile, children inherit the cost of this mutual abdication.

International development scholars consistently emphasize that education (especially of girls) correlates strongly with smaller, healthier families and better economic outcomes. Nigeria has ignored this lesson at scale. Where education is weak, fertility remains high. Where healthcare is absent, birth becomes both risk and ritual. Where women lack autonomy, choice disappears.

This is not destiny. It is policy failure reinforced by social silence.

Religious and cultural institutions, which wield enormous influence, have largely avoided confronting the economic implications of unchecked population growth. Instead, they often frame reproduction as a moral absolute divorced from material reality. The result is a dangerous romanticism that sanctifies birth while neglecting life after birth.

The Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui once observed that Africa’s tragedy is not lack of resources but lack of responsibility in managing abundance. Nigeria exemplifies this truth painfully. Rich in land, talent and natural wealth, the country behaves as though human life is an infinite resource requiring no investment beyond conception.

This mindset is unsustainable.

Around the world, nations that escaped mass poverty did so by aligning population growth with state capacity. They invested in people before multiplying them. They built systems before expanding demand. They treated citizens not as numbers but as future contributors whose welfare was essential to national survival.

Nigeria has inverted this logic. It produces demand without supply, citizens without systems, lives without ladders.

To say this is not to absolve government. It is to indict both leadership and followership in equal measure. Governance is not a one-way transaction. A society that demands accountability must also practice responsibility. Family planning is not a foreign conspiracy. It is a survival strategy. Reproductive choice is not moral decay. It is economic realism.

The Nigerian sociologist Adebayo Olukoshi has argued that development fails where political elites and social norms reinforce each other’s worst tendencies. In Nigeria, elite corruption meets popular denial, and the outcome is demographic pressure without developmental intent.

This pressure manifests everywhere: overcrowded classrooms, collapsing cities, rising youth unemployment and a mass exodus of talent seeking dignity elsewhere. Migration is not a dream; it is an indictment. People leave not because they hate their country, but because their country has failed to imagine a future with them in it.

And still, the cycle continues.

At some point, honesty must replace sentiment. A nation cannot endlessly reproduce its way out of poverty. Children are not economic policy. Birth is not development. Hope without planning is cruelty.

True patriotism requires difficult conversations. It demands confronting cultural habits that no longer serve collective survival. It insists on shared responsibility between state and citizen. It recognizes that bringing life into the world carries obligations that extend far beyond celebration.

Nigeria does not lack people. It lacks care, coordination and courage. The courage to align birth with dignity, growth with governance and culture with reality.

Until that reckoning occurs, complaints will continue, governments will rotate and generations will be born into a system that apologizes for its failures while reproducing them.

A nation that refuses to plan its future cannot complain when the future overwhelms it.

 

When a Nation Outgrows Its Care.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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