SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC EFFECTS OF CHILD LABOUR AND ITS COMMUNICATION IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF PORTHARCOURT CITY, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Spatial variation exists in the occurrence of child labour across geographical regions of the world, however, the effects on the concerned child and the societies are usually similar. This paper examines the Socio-demographic effects of child labour in Southern Nigeria focusing on Port-Harcourt City. The specific objectives include: examining the age and sex composition of the child labourers in southern Nigeria; identifying the causes of child labour in Southern Nigeria, identifying the types of work done by child labourers, examining the effects of labour on the child labourers and the society; and to make recommendations. Data were sourced from both primary and secondary sources, while the formulated null hypothesis was treated using Regression analysis and ANOVA. The result shows that older children, aged 15-17 dominate child labour activities (81%) and there is the predominance of girls over boys among the child workers. Also, poverty and family dysfunction were identified as critical drivers of child labour, while the result of the tested hypothesis revealed that labour has a significant effect on children under 18 years engaged in child labour in the study area. The recommendations are that the Nigerian government should increase investment in socio-economic change and technology as both can keep school-age children in school and reduce child exploitations that have an economic undertone. The strict enforcement of legislation against child labour in Nigeria is also recommended.