By Ayo Onikoyi

For Ihuoma Ogechi Anurioha, an attorney and women and child rights advocate, the fight against child labour should be a total one.

As she make significant strides on the pervasive issue of child labour and human trafficking exploitation in Nigeria through her research, her name has continued to attract positive attention across the globe.

Little wonder, her recently published paper, “Child Labor: The Human Trafficking Exploitation in Nigeria,” in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, has garnered significant great attention for its comprehensive analysis of the cultural, socioeconomic, and religious factors that perpetuate this heinous practice.

Anurioha’s research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to provide a holistic understanding of the nature, contributors, and impacts of child labor in Nigeria.

By examining scholarly journals, reports, statistical data, and policy documents, she has identified key factors such as cultural attitudes, poverty, porous borders, gender norms, and the breakdown of the Almajiri Qur’anic education system as primary drivers of child labor exploitation.

One of the most striking findings of Anurioha’s study is the revelation that 80.5 per cent of participants reported that their experiences did not affect their education, contrasting existing research that suggests child labour limits schooling in Nigeria.

This novel insight highlights the normalization of child labour within Nigerian society and underscores the urgent need for interventions that address both cultural attitudes and economic conditions.

Her research also delves into the devastating consequences of child labour on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of Nigerian children.

She highlights the increased prevalence of health issues, trauma, and the perpetuation of intergenerational poverty as a result of child labor exploitation. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the far-reaching impacts of this practice, Anurioha’s work serves as a clarion call for action to protect the rights and well-being of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

The significance of Anurioha’s research to the field of social work and advocacy cannot be overstated.

Her findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay of cultural, socioeconomic, and religious factors that enable child labor exploitation to persist, despite legislative efforts to combat it.

By identifying gaps in enforcement and the need for poverty reduction initiatives, Anurioha’s work lays the foundation for the development of targeted interventions that address the root causes of this issue.

Moreover, Anurioha’s research is a testament to her unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of women, children, and marginalized communities.

As a practicing attorney with over 17 years of experience and the founder of the Harmony Care and Youth Support Foundation International, Anurioha has dedicated her career to empowering and uplifting those in need.

Her research serves as an extension of this mission, providing a platform for the voices of those who have been silenced by exploitation and oppression.

In a world where the rights of women and children are too often overlooked or violated, Ihuoma Ogechi Anurioha stands as a beacon of hope.

Her groundbreaking research on child labor exploitation in Nigeria is a testament to the power of rigorous academic inquiry in driving social change. As policymakers, advocates, and communities work towards a future free from exploitation, Anurioha’s work will undoubtedly serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a more just and equitable world for all.