Ikeja Youth Rejoice as Chairman Introduces Legal Holiday Jobs

Kehinde Adeleye

In a landmark move to engage young people productively during the long school vacation, the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), has launched the Ikeja Holiday Job Programme.

This initiative, the first of its kind by any local government in Nigeria, targets secondary school students and recent school leavers between the ages of 16 and 25.

The programme has sparked public interest, particularly regarding its legality under Nigerian labour law. Legal review confirms that the initiative is fully compliant with labour regulations, designed to protect young workers while providing meaningful opportunities.

Under the Nigerian Labour Act, young persons from the age of 12 may be employed in light, non-hazardous work, provided it does not interfere with their education or well-being.

For individuals aged 16 to 25, holiday employment is legal as long as it meets specific conditions:

The work must be safe and appropriate for their age.

It must be supervised and must not endanger health or interrupt education.

Night work, defined as between 10 PM and 6 AM, is prohibited for those under 18.

Hazardous roles, including factory or construction work, are strictly disallowed.

The Ikeja Holiday Job Programme has been carefully structured in line with these regulations.

Participants in the programme will be involved in administrative support, public enlightenment campaigns, and community service tasks within the local government. No participant will be assigned to risky or inappropriate duties.

The initiative is designed not only to keep youth engaged but also to help them develop useful skills, understand civic responsibility, and build early professional experience. Participants will receive stipends as appreciation, reinforcing the programme’s educational and developmental nature rather than positioning it as formal employment.

The Chairman emphasized that the programme reflects his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety, and responsible governance.

“The goal is to build confidence, capacity, and a sense of purpose in our young people. This is about investing in their future,” he stated.

With full legal backing and a focus on youth development, the AKOD Holiday Job Programme stands out as a model for other local governments across the country.