How peer-led clubs are turning Nigerian children into rights defenders
Across Nigeria, thousands of children remain vulnerable to exploitative and abusive forms of child domestic work due to poverty, harmful social norms, and limited awareness of their rights.
Preventing child exploitation requires more than awareness campaigns, it requires safe spaces where children can learn, participate, and become agents of change in their communities. However, many children, particularly those working as child domestic workers (CDWs), have limited opportunities to learn about their rights and speak out against abuse.
The African Movement of Working Children and Youth (MAEJT) Nigeria—a Lagos based survivor-led organization—is working to create these spaces. With support from the Freedom Fund, MAEJT Nigeria has established Child Rights Clubs in selected schools as a practical and sustainable approach to child protection and prevention of child domestic work.
MAEJT Nigeria identifies schools located in communities where children are particularly vulnerable to child labour, child domestic work, and other forms of exploitation. We then conduct assessments to identify interested, committed students who become pioneer members of the clubs.
The clubs are more than extracurricular activities. They are platforms where children gain knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills that can shape their futures and influence their communities.
Importantly, the clubs bring together both child domestic workers and non-child domestic workers, creating an inclusive environment where children from different backgrounds can learn, share experiences, and support one another. This mixed membership helps to reduce stigma, promote empathy, and encourage collective responsibility for child protection.
“I may be a child, but my voice matters. When you listen to me, you help build a better world for every child.”
The Child Rights Clubs meet every two weeks under the guidance of two trained teachers in each school who facilitate club activities and provide ongoing support to members. During meetings, children engage in discussions on a range of topics, including:
- Understanding children’s rights and responsibilities
- Protection from abuse, exploitation, and violence
- The importance of education
- Child labour and child domestic work
- Reporting mechanisms and where to seek help
- Building self-confidence and leadership skills
- Supporting peers who may be at risk
To guide these discussions, the clubs use a child rights manual developed to ensure age-appropriate and structured learning. The manual provides children with practical knowledge that helps them recognise violations of their rights and understand how to seek support when needed.
One of the most significant outcomes of the clubs is the transformation of children from passive recipients of information into active advocates for their rights. Club members develop confidence to express themselves, challenge harmful practices, and share what they learn with friends, siblings, and community members. Many children become advocates within their schools, encouraging peers to stay in school and report situations of abuse or exploitation. The clubs also strengthen children’s understanding that every child deserves protection, dignity, and access to education regardless of their background or circumstances.
“Don’t speak for me; listen to me. My ideas, my dreams, and my rights matter.”
Sustainable change begins when children understand their rights and believe their voices matter. Through the Child Rights Clubs, MAEJT Nigeria is helping to build a generation of informed, confident, and empowered children who can identify risks, seek protection, and advocate for safer communities.
By investing in child participation and survivor-led solutions, we can move closer to a future where every child is protected from exploitation and able to realise their full potential. For us, the message is simple: when children know their rights, they are better equipped to protect themselves, support their peers, and become champions for change.
MAEJT Nigeria
MAEJT Nigeria was founded in 2008 to address the urgent needs of children who work. We believe in the transformative power of education, safety, and community engagement. Our initiatives aim to ensure that every child can experience a childhood filled with learning, play, and growth, free from exploitation and harm.
As a survivor-led organisation, MAEJT Nigeria brings a unique perspective to this work. Survivors understand the realities of exploitation and the importance of prevention. This lived experience informs our approach and reinforces our belief that empowering children with knowledge is one of the most effective ways to prevent exploitation before it occurs.
