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The Committee notes the Government’s first and second brief reports and requests it to supply further information on the following points.

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes that the Child Rights Act of 2003 prohibits the worst forms of child labour. Section 274 states that the provisions of the Act supersede all other laws to the contrary. The Committee also notes that, according to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 11), the Child Rights Act has come into force in only four of the 36 states of Nigeria. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the Act enters into force in all states.

Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. (i) Common law system. The Committee notes that, by virtue of sections 30(1), 30(2)(b) and 277 of the Child Rights Act of 2003, the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age is prohibited. The Act on Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration of 2003 (hereinafter the Anti-Trafficking Law), also contains detailed provisions prohibiting the trafficking of children under 18 years of age. Hence, the Anti-Trafficking Law prohibits the importation into Nigeria or exportation from Nigeria, of children under 18 years of age for prostitution (section 11); the procuring of persons under 18 years of age to leave Nigeria or their usual place of abode for the purpose of prostitution within or outside of Nigeria (section 14(2)); the importation, exportation, buying, selling, disposing or trafficking of a person for the purpose of slavery, servitude or debt bondage (sections 23 and 24(c)). The trafficking of persons for forced or compulsory recruitment in armed conflict is prohibited under section 15(c) of the Anti-Trafficking Law. Section 16 provides that whoever organizes or promotes sex tourism commits an offence.

At the state level, the Committee observes that the Criminal Code (southern states) of 1990, prohibits the procuring of a female to leave her usual place of abode in Nigeria for prostitution (section 223(4)), as well as the trading in, purchasing, selling, or transferring of a person for slavery (section 369). Regarding northern states, the Committee notes that, according to information available at the Office, the Penal Code prohibits the sale and trafficking of children for prostitution or other unlawful or immoral purposes (section 278), and for slavery (section 279). The Committee takes due note that numerous legal provisions prohibit the sale and trafficking of persons under 18 years of age.

(ii) Shari’a Law. The Committee notes that the Shari’a applies in 12 of the northern states, including Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 78). It also notes that, by virtue of article 277(2) of the Constitution of 1999, the Shari’a Court of Appeal of a state will be competent when the parties to the proceedings, being Muslims, ask the Shari’a Court to hear their case according to the Islamic law. It further notes that, according to information available at the Office, section 3 of the Magistrates Courts (Restriction of Powers) Law of 2002 provides that all cases involving Muslims in Zamfara State shall be dealt with under the Shari’a courts. By virtue of section 234 of the Shari’a Penal Code of Zamfara State, it is prohibited to induce a female to go from one place to another to have illicit intercourse. Section 235 of the aforementioned Code states that whoever imports into the state, a girl or a woman for illicit intercourse with himself or another person commits an offence. The Committee reminds the Government that under Article 3(a) of the Convention, the sale and trafficking of children should be prohibited for both boys and girls under 18 years of age. The Committee asks the Government to provide a definition of the term "illicit intercourse" used under sections 234 and 235 of the Shari’a Penal Code of the State of Zamfara. It also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the sale and trafficking of girls and boys under 18 years of age for labour or sexual exploitation is prohibited throughout Nigeria.

2. Debt bondage serfdom and forced or compulsory labour. The Committee notes that, by virtue of sections 28(1)(a) and 277 of the Child Rights Act, children under 18 years of age shall not be exposed to forced or exploitative labour. Section 30(2)(b) provides that a child under 18 shall not be used for debt bondage, serfdom, forced or compulsory labour. The Committee also notes that sections 24(b) and (d) of the Anti-Trafficking Law prohibits slavery, servitude and debt bondage. Section 238 of the Shari’a Penal Code of the State of Zamfara also prohibits forced labour.

3. Compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. The Committee notes that sections 34(1) and 277 of the Child Rights Act provide that children under 18 years of age shall not be recruited into the armed forces.

Clause (b). 1. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. The Committee notes that, by virtue of section 26 of the Anti-Trafficking Law, it is an offence to: (a) cause or encourage the prostitution of children under 18 years of age; (b) manage a brothel; and (c) permit the defilement of children in brothels. Section 30(2)(e) of the Child Rights Act prohibits the procuring or offering a child under 18 for prostitution.

Shari’a Law. The Committee notes that, by virtue of section 237 of the Shari’a Penal Code of the State of Zamfara, it is an offence to buy, sell, hire, let to hire or otherwise obtain possession or dispose of a person under 15 years of age for the purpose of prostitution. Section 372 states that it is prohibited to manage a brothel. Section 374(1)(d) provides that a prostitute who behaves in an indecent manner in a public place, importunes or solicits a person for the purpose of prostitution commits an offence. The Committee reminds the Government that, by virtue of Article 3(b) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a girl or a boy under 18 for prostitution is considered as one of the worst forms of child labour, and should therefore be prohibited. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the prohibitions are extended to girls under 18 years of age and to boys. Noting the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child to the Government to avoid criminalizing child victims of sexual exploitation in all circumstances (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 72), the Committee strongly encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that children used, procured or offered for prostitution are considered as victims rather than offenders under the Shari’a.

2. Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. (i) Common law system. The Committee notes that sections 15 and 26 of the Anti-Trafficking Law provide that the procuring, use or offering of a person for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances constitutes an offence. Section 30(2)(e) of the Child Rights Act also prohibits the procuring or offering a child under 18 for the production of pornography or pornographic performances.

(ii) Shari’a Law. The Committee notes that, by virtue of section 237 of the Shari’a Penal Code of the State of Zamfara, it is an offence to buy, sell, hire, let to hire or otherwise obtain possession or dispose of a person under 15 years of age for prostitution or for any unlawful or immoral purposes. Section 370 of the abovementioned Law states that "whoever to the annoyance of others, does any obscene or indecent act in a private or public place, or acts or conducts himself/herself in an indecent manner or in a manner contrary to the morality or wears indecent or immoral clothing" commits an offence. The Committee consequently notes that children forced to perform pornographic performances would be offenders under section 370 of the aforementioned Code. The Committee asks the Government to provide a definition of the terms "unlawful or immoral purposes" stated in section 237 of the Shari’a Penal Code of the State of Zamfara. It also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the use, procuring or offering of girls and boys under 18 for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances is prohibited under the Shari’a Penal Code of the State of Zamfara, as well as under the Shari’a applicable elsewhere. It further encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that children used, procured or offered for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances are considered as victims rather than offenders.

Clause (c). 1. Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. The Committee notes that, according to section 25 of the Child Rights Act 2003, no one shall expose or involve a child under 18 years of age in the production or trafficking of drugs. It is also prohibited under section 26 of the Child Rights Act to employ, use or involve a child under 18 years of age in any activity involving or leading to the commission of an offence. The Committee also observes that section 30(2)(a) of the Act states that children under 18 shall not be used for begging, guiding beggars or any unlawful purpose.

Article 3, clause (d). Hazardous work. The Committee notes that, by virtue of section 59(6) of the Labour Act of 1990, persons under 18 years of age shall not be employed in occupations that are injurious to their health, dangerous or immoral. Section 28(1)(b) and 277 of the Child Rights Act provides that children under 18 shall not work except in light work.

Article 4, paragraph 1. Determination of hazardous work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national legislation does not provide for a list of types of hazardous work but rather for scattered provisions. Indeed, sections 28(1)(c) and 28(2) of the Child Rights Act state that children under 18 years of age shall not lift, carry or move heavy materials that are likely to harm their health or work in undertakings. It also observes that it is prohibited to employ a person under 18 years of age: (i) in night work (section 60(1) of the Labour Act); and (ii) to operate any lifting machine driven by mechanical power to give signals to the operator of any machine (section 26, subsections (8) and (9) of the Factories Act).

The Committee reminds the Government that, by virtue of Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the types of hazardous work referred to under Article 3(d), shall be determined by national laws or regulations or by the competent authority, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, taking into consideration relevant international standards, in particular Paragraph 3 of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendation, 1999 (No. 190). The Committee hopes that a comprehensive list determining the types of hazardous work that shall not be performed by children under 18 years of age will be adopted shortly, in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments in this regard.

Paragraph 2. Identification of hazardous work. The Committee notes the absence of information in the Government’s report on efforts made to identify where work that, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children, exists. The Committee reminds the Government that according to Article 4, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the competent authority, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, shall identify where the types of hazardous work exist. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. Labour Inspectorate. The Committee notes that section 78 of the Labour Act states that authorized labour officers are entitled to enter and inspect workplaces. Similar powers are conferred on the inspectors under section 65 of the Factories Act. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the activities of labour inspectors, including the number of workplaces investigated per year, and on the findings with regard to the extent and nature of violations detected concerning children involved in the worst forms of child labour.

2. NAPTP. The Committee notes that the Anti-Trafficking Law provides for the establishment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTP) which shall be responsible for: (i) harmonizing and enforcing all the laws concerning the traffic in human beings; (ii) increasing the effectiveness of the law enforcement bodies to suppress traffic in persons; (iii) establishing and securing communication between the different bodies concerned; (iv) strengthening cooperation between the office of the Attorney General, the Police, the Immigration Service, the Customs Service, the Prison Service, and other law enforcement agencies; and (v) ensuring the rehabilitation of trafficked persons. It also notes that, by virtue of section 5 of the abovementioned Law, the NAPTP is entitled to conduct investigations to ascertain whether any person has committed an offence under the Anti-Trafficking Law. It further notes that, according to section 35 of the Anti-Trafficking Act, police officers, customs officers, immigration officers, or the Chairperson of NAPTP have large powers to enter, search and arrest. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the activities of the NAPTP as well as on the number of investigations involving trafficking in persons conducted by police officers, customs officers, immigration officers and their findings.

3. National Tripartite Steering Committee on Child Labour (NTSCCL). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a NTSCCL was set up in cooperation with ILO/IPEC. It also notes that one of the objectives of the ILO/IPEC programme entitled "Building the Foundations for Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Anglophone Africa" is to facilitate the implementation, by 2005, of child labour programmes. It further notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/70/Add.24, 17 September 2004, paragraph 29) that the programmes concerning child rights are not effectively implemented, and that there is need for monitoring activities. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to provide information on the activities of the NTSCCL and to indicate whether this monitoring mechanism has contributed to improving the implementation of child labour programmes.

Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. 1. Memorandum of Understanding to Eliminate the Worst forms of Child Labour (MOU). The Committee notes that the Government signed a MOU with ILO/IPEC in 2000. The project "Building the Foundations for Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Anglophone Africa (CBP) Nigeria" was adopted under the MOU to provide the Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations and other partners with technical skills and organization ability to formulate and implement programmes of action to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes that, according to the ILO/IPEC technical progress report of June 2004, four action programmes have been launched and partners are highly mobilized and committed toward the achievement of the project’s objectives. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken under the MOU and their impact on preventing and eliminating the worst forms of child labour.

2. Child domestic workers. The Committee notes that one of the objectives of the ILO/IPEC programme entitled "Building the Foundations for Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Anglophone Africa" was to assess, by June 2004, the number of child domestic workers in south-east and south-west Nigeria and their working conditions. Another objective of the programme is to withdraw and rehabilitate 2,000 child domestic workers between April 2004 and April 2005. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the rapid assessment on child domestic workers as well as information on the impact of the abovementioned programme on withdrawing and rehabilitating child domestic workers.

Article 7, paragraph 1. 1. Penalties. The Committee notes that sections 28(3) and 30(3) of the Child Rights Act and sections 11, 14, 23 and 24 of the Anti-Trafficking Law, provide for sufficiently dissuasive and effective penalties for breach of the provisions prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children for labour or sexual exploitation, debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour. It also observes that section 26 of the of the Anti-Trafficking Law and sections 25, 26 and 30(3) of the Child Rights Act, provide for sufficiently adequate penalties for the violation of the provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of a child a person for prostitution, the production of pornography or for pornographic material or for illicit activities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the practical application of the abovementioned provisions.

Regarding the violation of the prohibition to employ children in hazardous occupations, section 64(1) of the Labour Act provides for a maximum fine of 100 Naira (approximately 0.80 US dollars) whereas section 28(3) and (4) of the Child Rights Act states that whoever employs a child under 18 years of age in any occupation except light work is liable to a fine of 50,000 Naira and five years’ imprisonment. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are provided for the violation of the provisions of the Labour Act.

2. Corruption. The Committee notes that, according to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 21), corruption is widespread in the country. Considering that corruption may hinder the efficient enforcement of national legislation giving effect to the Convention, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the results achieved with regard to reducing corruption practices in Nigeria.

Article 7, paragraph 2. Time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. 1. Access to education. The Committee observes that, according to article 18(3)(a) of the Constitution, the Government shall provide for free, compulsory and universal education. It also notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child that a Universal Basic Education Act was enacted in February 2004 (CRC/C/70/Add.24/Rev.2, 2004, pages 104, 113 and 114). The Government adds that only about 57 per cent of school-age children (10-15 years) are enrolled in primary education. In the north-west, school attendance rates fall to 28 per cent. The Government further indicates that education was given the highest priority in the state party’s annual budget and that some state governments took initiatives, such as the school meal plus programme, to facilitate access to education (CRC/C/70/Add.24, 17 September 2004, paragraph 31). The Committee nevertheless notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 13 April 2005, paragraph 61) expressed its concern at the unavailability in many parts of Nigeria of free, compulsory and universal primary education, high levels of absenteeism and school dropout rates, in part due to school fees which constitute a burden for parents in sending children to schools. Considering that education contributes to preventing children from engaging in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee asks the Government to redouble its efforts to improve access to free basic education for all children and to substantially reduce dropout rates.

2. Forced child labour. The Committee notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraphs 73 and 74) expressed its grave concern at the reports of forced child labour in Nigeria. It acknowledged the efforts made by the state party to reduce this phenomenon; however it regretted that the outcomes of such efforts have been poor. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures taken or envisaged to prevent the engagement of children in forced labour.

3. Children working in the agricultural sector. The Committee notes that Nigeria participates in an ILO/IPEC Programme entitled "West Africa Cocoa/Commercial Agriculture Programme to Combat Hazardous and Exploitative Child Labour", launched in 2002. It aims at: (i) strengthening the capacity of the public and private sectors to initiate, implement and monitor programmes to eliminate child labour; (ii) raising awareness among children, families and communities on hazards faced by child workers in the agricultural sector and existing alternatives; and (iii) testing pilot interventions to withdraw children from hazardous work. The Committee notes that, according to an ILO/IPEC report of June 2004 on the implementation of the programme, a health and safety study is under way to assess the hazards in cocoa farms and that proposals for action programmes are under review. The Committee asks the Government to supply a copy of the study on health and safety hazards in cocoa farms as well as information on the concrete measures taken to ensure that children working in the agricultural sector, especially in cocoa farms do not perform hazardous work.

Clause (b). Providing the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour, and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child trafficking. The Committee notes that, according to a national study on the sexual exploitation of children in Nigeria (Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development, December 2001, page 8), 1,178 Nigerian woman and child victims of trafficking were deported back to their country between March 1999 and December 2000. It also notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/Resp/72, 26 November 2004, paragraphs 15.2 and 15.3) that the federal Government, the state governments and the local communities established, in collaboration with ILO/IPEC, two pilot emergency shelter centres for the rescue of trafficked children. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also assisted the Government in establishing a shelter in Benin City and Lagos for the rehabilitation of trafficked persons. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that 160 child victims of trafficking were repatriated in 2005.

The Committee notes however that, according to project entitled "the Programme of Action against Trafficking in Minors and Young Women from Nigeria to Italy for the purpose of Sexual Exploitation" (United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNODC), July 2003, pages 81 and 83), victims of trafficking complained about not being properly rehabilitated in the society and 46.9 per cent of those interviewed were not aware of any victim protection services from NGOs or other organizations in their vicinity. It also notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 71) expressed its concern over child victims of sexual exploitation who often do not receive adequate protection and/or recovery assistance, but may even be treated as perpetrators of a crime. The Committee asks the Government to continue its efforts to provide for the rehabilitation and social integration of child victims of trafficking.

Clause (c). Ensuring access to free basic education for all children removed from the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the absence of information in the Government’s report on this point. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to supply information on the time-bound measures taken or envisaged, as required under Article 7(2)(c ) of the Convention.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. 1. Street children. The Committee notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 69) expressed its concern at the increasing number of children living and working on the street, and regretted the lack of information about specific mechanisms and measures to address their situation. The Committee notes that the Government conducted a study on street children with the assistance of ILO/IPEC, UNODC and UNICEF in the beginning of 2005. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to supply a copy undertake of the study and to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged pursuant to this study to protect street children from the worst forms of child labour.

2. Child orphans and HIV/AIDS. The Committee notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/70/Add.24/Rev.2, 2004, pages 98-99) that the estimated number of AIDS orphans in 2001 was about 930,000 children, making Nigeria the country with the highest number of AIDS orphans in the world. It also notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraphs 42 and 52) expressed its concern at the growing number of abandoned children and number of HIV/AIDS orphans and the lack of a comprehensive and well-resourced policy programme for the protection of orphans. Considering that the pandemic of HIV/AIDS has consequences on orphans who might more easily engage in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures envisaged or taken to address the situation of these children.

Clause (e). Special situation of girls. 1. Girls in refugee camps. The Committee notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraphs 63 and 64) expressed its concern at reports of sexual exploitation of refugee girls within and outside of refugee camps, including female teenagers who are forced into prostitution. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures taken or envisaged to ensure that children in refugee camps are protected from sexual exploitation.

2. Education. The Committee notes that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/2004/I/CRP.3/Add.2, 30 January 2004, paragraph 30) expressed its concern about the low enrolment rate and educational achievements of girls, the continuing high rates of illiteracy among girls, in particular in rural areas, and the decline in the quality of education. It also notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.257, 28 January 2005, paragraph 61 and CRC/C/70/Add.24/
Rev.2, 2004, page 104) that it has developed, with the assistance of UNICEF, a strategy for the Acceleration of Girls’ Education in Nigeria (SAGEN). The Government adds that extra measures have been taken in the northern states of Nigeria where socio-cultural hindrances militating against girls’ education have been noted. For instance, the Zamfara State government established a female education commission in 2001 which has boosted girls’ participation in primary and secondary education. The Committee asks the Government to pursue its efforts to improve girls’ access to education and to provide information on the impact of SAGEN in this respect.

Article 8. 1. International cooperation. The Committee notes that Nigeria is a member of Interpol, which helps cooperation between countries in the different regions especially in the fight against trafficking of children. It also notes that Nigeria ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, as well as the Supplementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish the Trafficking in Persons especially Women and Children in 2001. It signed the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts in 2000 and the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography in 2000.

2. Regional cooperation. The Committee notes that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/2004/I/CRP.3/Add.2, 30 January 2004, paragraph 28) expressed its concern about the prevalence and extent of trafficking in Nigeria, which has become a country of origin and transit of trafficked women and girls. It also notes that Nigeria participates in the ILO/IPEC LUTRENA (Combating the Trafficking in Children for Labour Exploitation in West and Central Africa) programme, which covers nine countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Togo. The Committee further notes that a "Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa" was concluded on 27 July 2005 by the Governments of the Republics of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact of the LUTRENA project and the "Multilateral Cooperation Agreement" in combating child trafficking in the region.

3. Bilateral agreements. The Committee notes that a national study on the sexual exploitation of children in Nigeria (the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development, December 2001, pages 8, 18, 19) reveals that between 700,000 and two million women and children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation to Europe, especially to Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Committee notes that, according to the "Programme of Action against Trafficking in Minors and Young Women from Nigeria to Italy for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation" (September 2002, pages 3 and 38), most of Nigerian trafficked girls originate from southern states, namely Edo, Delta and Lagos.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/Resp/72, 26 November 2004, paragraph 15.3 and CRC/C/70/Add.24/Rev.2, 2004, pages 31 and 66) that cooperation agreements have been signed between Nigeria and Spain, Italy, Benin and Saudi Arabia to identify, investigate and prosecute traffickers and to protect victims of human trafficking. The Government adds that this effort will be replicated with other neighbouring countries like Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Mali, Togo and Burkina Faso. The Government further states that about 300 children trafficked from Benin Republic to Nigeria were returned to Benin in 2003. The Committee also observes that, according to the Programme of Action against Trafficking in Minors and Young Women from Nigeria to Italy for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation, from 2000-02, the Italian help line received 474,000 requests of assistance and 2,700 judicial proceedings were under way in 2004. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the adoption of any additional bilateral agreements and their impact on eliminating or reducing child trafficking.

4. Poverty Eradication Programme. The Committee notes the Government’s indication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/Resp/72, 26 November 2004, page 6) that 70 per cent of the population lives below US$1 per day, and 90 per cent with less than US$2 per day. The Government adds that it cooperates with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development on employment and poverty alleviation. It further states that it launched a poverty eradication programme under which institutions were established to provide loans and microcredit to the poor as well as skill-acquisition training and other measures of empowerment to families to lift them out of poverty (CRC/C/70/Add.24, 17 September 2004, paragraph 27). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any notable impact of the poverty eradication programme on eliminating the worst forms of child labour.

Part V of the report form. The Committee takes note of the data provided in the Report on National Modular Child Labour Survey (drafted by the University of Lagos, the Federal Office of Statistics and ILO/SIMPOC, 2000-01). It also asks the Government to continue to provide information on the worst forms of child labour, including for example copies or extracts from official documents including inspection reports, studies and inquiries, and information on the nature, extent and trends of those forms of child labour, the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of infringements reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and the penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by sex.