Devatop Centre child servitude warning calls for valuing children as learners, not labourers, amid rising domestic exploitation
Devatop Centre child servitude campaign has taken a strong stand, urging Nigerians to reject the domestic servitude of children and recognise them as learners, not labourers.
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The organisation highlighted the disturbing increase in exploitative child domestic work, which has become a critical human rights issue.
Executive Director Joseph Osuigwe explained that children in domestic servitude face long working hours, isolation, poor or no payment, and often are denied education.
Girls, in particular, are vulnerable to sexual abuse and social stigma.
Osuigwe described exploitative child domestic labour as “one of the worst forms of child labour,” noting that while some children may receive minimal food or wages, many endure psychological harm and loss of dignity.
With support from the Freedom Fund and local partners, Devatop has been actively fighting this abuse through prevention efforts, protection, community mobilisation, and policy advocacy.
The group has trained over 65 community influencers who have raised awareness among more than 2,500 people and launched the TALKAM Human Rights App and hotlines to report abuses.
Devatop has also facilitated the re-enrolment of seven children in schools and placed five in vocational training.
More than 110 vulnerable children now have a safe haven in Child Rights Forums, with 38 attending monthly mentorship clinics focused on rights education and confidence-building.
The organisation has resolved most abuse cases reported, working closely with law enforcement.
Osuigwe called on government agencies to strengthen laws and enforcement, urged communities to reject the normalisation of child servitude, and encouraged the media to expose hidden abuses in private homes.
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“Children are not adults, tractors, machines, or commodities for trade. They are treasures and should be treated as such,” he emphasised, stressing the need for love, learning, and protection for all children.
