Child labour migration from Benin Republic to Lagos

Poverty and migration are driving child labour trends in West Africa, as children move from the Benin Republic to construction sites in Lagos, Nigeria. Ten-year-old Ojo Ibukun is among those who have transitioned from potential schooling to manual labor, working as an apprentice in the Ilasamaja neighborhood.

Under the guidance of a tiler from his hometown of Ifangni, Ibukun performs heavy tasks such as carrying cement and mixing mortar. While ECOWAS protocols allow Beninese nationals to enter Nigeria without a visa for up to 90 days, the complexities of long-term residence and the lack of educational oversight leave many migrant children vulnerable to informal apprenticeship systems that prioritize work over schooling.