The Village Head of Gbado Ummeh in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Isah Akpu, has imposed a ₦50,000 fine on parents whose school-age children are caught working at mining sites during school hours.
The traditional ruler said the measure was aimed at discouraging parents from withdrawing their children from school to engage them in menial jobs and other activities at local mining sites.
Akpu announced the community-backed sanction ahead of the resumption of schools, expressing concern over the growing presence of children at mining locations while classrooms remain empty.
According to him, parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children and wards of school age are in school during official school hours rather than exposing them to hazardous mining environments.
The directive targets parents who deliberately keep their children away from school to work at mining sites, particularly in circumstances where the children are engaged in manual and other forms of menial labour.
The monarch said the community would not fold its arms and watch the future of its children being jeopardised by child labour and the pursuit of immediate economic gains.
As part of efforts to enforce the directive, town criers have already been deployed across Gbado Ummeh to sensitise residents to the new measure and remind parents of their responsibilities ahead of the new academic session.
Community leaders are also expected to monitor compliance and identify cases involving school-age children working at mining sites during school hours.
The development comes amid concerns over the impact of mining activities on children’s education in parts of Nasarawa State, where artisanal and small-scale mining provides a source of livelihood for many rural households.
While mining remains an important economic activity in the state, the involvement of children in mining-related work raises concerns over school attendance, exposure to dangerous working conditions and their long-term educational development.
The ₦50,000 sanction is therefore intended not only as a punishment but also as a deterrent to parents who may be tempted to prioritise income from mining-related labour over their children’s education.
The community’s action also complements broader efforts by the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ensure that children of school age remain in school.
The board has previously emphasised that basic education is compulsory and warned that parents who deliberately prevent their children from attending school could face sanctions.
Stakeholders in education and child protection have consistently argued that keeping children in school is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty, particularly in communities where families depend heavily on informal economic activities such as artisanal mining.
Residents of Gbado Ummeh are now expected to comply with the directive as schools prepare to reopen, with community leaders stressing that children found working at mining sites during school hours will trigger the prescribed sanction against their parents.
The initiative highlights the growing role of traditional and community leaders in complementing government efforts to tackle child labour, improve school enrolment and attendance, and protect children from hazardous economic activities.
