Despite ban, children hustle at construction sites, dangerous Lagos streets to survive
Despite the official ban on child labour in Lagos, many children still toil at construction sites and engage in other perilous jobs in the shadows of the city’s dangerous streets just to support their families. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE, in this report, explores their daily fight for survival—heartbreaking stories of sacrifice and resilience amid harsh realities Every day, a disturbing reality plays out in Lagos, a city where children aged between five and 17 are legally barred from working at construction sites. As the morning sun streaks across the sky, the city’s skyline becomes dotted with the small, stooped figures of young labourers who navigate the hazards of construction sites every day, despite the protective legislation in place. They are also found in shadowy streets and bustling markets. Often no older than twelve, these children are not working out of choice but out of sheer necessity. For them, the daily grind is not an act of rebellion bu...