Experts have renewed calls for urgent regulation, licensing, and formal recognition of domestic workers in Nigeria, warning that the absence of clear laws and weak enforcement continue to expose millions in the sector to abuse and exploitation. They made the appeal on Friday in Abuja at the close of the five-day 7th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation (ROLDF).
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ozioma Izuora, a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, described domestic workers as “the people you see every day”, yet noted that they remain largely invisible and unprotected despite their crucial role in many Nigerian households. She said the Igbo apprenticeship system offers a successful model the government could emulate, but lamented that it has not been formally studied or integrated into national policy.
Mrs. Izuora said exploitation, underpayment, physical abuse, and sexual violence remain common, even with the Child Rights Act in place. “Stories abound of children being beaten, burned, denied food, or left to sleep outside,” she said. She added that some unlicensed agents “rotate young girls between households”, often without contracts or access to their wages. She also noted that in some cases, domestic workers may violate trust or abandon work due to lack of education or training, further increasing tensions within homes.
She called for government oversight, licensing of private recruitment agencies, and a formal dispute-resolution mechanism. Mrs. Izuora added that Nigeria’s adoption of ILO Convention 189 obliges the country to ensure decent working conditions. “If domestic work is to be formalised, then the government must monitor implementation closely,” she said.
Also speaking, legal practitioner Mr. Hygenus Ibagasaid domestic work remains “one of the most undervalued and least regulated sectors in Nigeria”, despite its significance to families and the wider economy. He argued that the work is often treated as a charitable gesture rather than formal employment. “We often say, ‘I am helping that small boy or girl,’ but what we want now is a legal framework that recognises the cleaner or caregiver as a staff member entitled to rights and protection,” he said.
Mr. Ibaga explained that although the Constitution guarantees dignity and freedom from discrimination, the absence of a dedicated law leaves domestic workers exposed. He said current laws, such as the Child Rights Act and criminal codes, offer limited protection, and enforcement remains weak. He also clarified that Nigeria has not ratified ILO Convention 189, contrary to common assumptions. He added that the Domestic Workers’ Protection Bill—formed by merging two earlier Senate proposals—was passed by the Senate on 12 November 2025, but “the House of Representatives is yet to pass the bill”. He urged lawmakers to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and expedite passage.
Mrs. Linda Raji, Project Officer at ROLDF, said weak institutions and entrenched social norms continue to undermine efforts to regulate the sector. She said informality is a major obstacle because recruitment frequently occurs through unlicensed agents. “I once overheard someone say, ‘I need a girl, 16 years old; send her here.’ Within two days, the girl arrived. You wonder if the parents even know where their child is,” she said.
Mrs. Raji added that domestic workers—mostly underage girls and women—often fear retaliation if they report abuse. She said many employers still believe domestic work is not “real work”, and warned that unscrupulous agents may continue exploiting regulatory gaps. “Many employers genuinely do not know their obligations, so sensitisation is key,” she said. She called for safe reporting channels, including hotlines and anonymous systems, and urged the National Orientation Agency to run nationwide awareness campaigns. She stressed that children under 16 should not be employed as domestic workers.
A resource specialist, Dr. Balogun Makanjuola, said Nigeria’s failure to adopt data-driven planning, combined with poverty and unemployment, continues to worsen the situation. He noted that the supply of cheap labour remains high because many young people lack opportunities. “The law of supply applies here,” he said. “When workers are in excess, the price of labour falls. That is why people pay N20,000 or N30,000. Even my personal driver, a graduate, earns N30,000, and there are ten others waiting to take the job.”
Dr. Makanjuola warned that implementing formal standards without considering economic realities could create friction. He said poverty, unemployment, poor governance, and corruption may limit the effectiveness of any new legislation. “Domestic workers need protection, but implementation must be grounded in Nigeria’s socioeconomic realities,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Massoud Oredola urged fair treatment of domestic workers, saying religious teachings emphasise compassion and responsibility within households. He said domestic workers should not be overburdened and should be paid fairly for additional tasks. “The law alone is insufficient to guarantee justice,” he said. “If you cannot help, at least do not hurt, exploit, or add to their misery.”
He added that kindness remains a universal obligation. “Service and kindness to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth,” he said. “We are all tenants; God Almighty is our landlord.”
