Abstract
Forced labour remains a critical human rights concern in Nigeria despite Nigeria’s
ratification of several international and regional legal instruments aimed at its eradication.
The persistence of coercive labour practices, especially within the informal economy, is
exacerbated by socio-economic vulnerabilities, outdated domestic legislation, and weak
institutional enforcement mechanisms. This study investigates the effectiveness of
international legal mechanisms such as the ILO Conventions Nos. 29 and 105, the
Palermo Protocol, and regional instruments such as the African Charter and ECOWAS
standards against the backdrop of Nigeria’s implementation gaps. Using a doctrinal legal
research methodology supplemented by content analysis of secondary data from official
reports and scholarly literature, this paper identifies substantial deficits in law
enforcement, regulatory coherence, and victim protection. The findings reveal that while
Nigeria has made formal commitments, practical implementation is hindered by legal
fragmentation, limited labour inspection, and inadequate social protection systems. This
study recommends legislative reform, ratification of outstanding protocols, increased
institutional funding, and the development of a national action plan. It concludes that
bridging the gap between normative commitments and enforcement practice is essential
for eliminating forced labour and advancing decent work. This paper seeks to contributes
to existing scholarship by providing an integrated analysis of international obligations
and national challenges, offering actionable pathways for reform.
ratification of several international and regional legal instruments aimed at its eradication.
The persistence of coercive labour practices, especially within the informal economy, is
exacerbated by socio-economic vulnerabilities, outdated domestic legislation, and weak
institutional enforcement mechanisms. This study investigates the effectiveness of
international legal mechanisms such as the ILO Conventions Nos. 29 and 105, the
Palermo Protocol, and regional instruments such as the African Charter and ECOWAS
standards against the backdrop of Nigeria’s implementation gaps. Using a doctrinal legal
research methodology supplemented by content analysis of secondary data from official
reports and scholarly literature, this paper identifies substantial deficits in law
enforcement, regulatory coherence, and victim protection. The findings reveal that while
Nigeria has made formal commitments, practical implementation is hindered by legal
fragmentation, limited labour inspection, and inadequate social protection systems. This
study recommends legislative reform, ratification of outstanding protocols, increased
institutional funding, and the development of a national action plan. It concludes that
bridging the gap between normative commitments and enforcement practice is essential
for eliminating forced labour and advancing decent work. This paper seeks to contributes
to existing scholarship by providing an integrated analysis of international obligations
and national challenges, offering actionable pathways for reform.
Keywords:
Decent Work
Forced Labour
Human Rights
International Law
Nigeria
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