{
  "id": 10567019,
  "title": "From classroom to construction site: The child labour journey from Benin Republic to Lagos",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/from-classroom-to-construction-site-the-child-labour-journey-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T00:30:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/from-classroom-to-construction-site-the-child-labour-journey-from-benin-republic-to-lagos/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ten-year-old Ibukun Oluwa works as a tiler apprentice in Lagos, Nigeria, after crossing the border from the Republic of Benin. Ibukun is one of many children who have left their homes in search of work to support their families, joining the construction sites of Lagos. The International Labour Organization defines child labor as work that harms children's well-being and development, interferes with education, or involves children too young to perform the work. Ibukun's situation raises questions about the line between apprenticeship and child labor, as he carries materials, mixes cement, and sleeps on the construction site where he learns his trade.",
  "summary": "A 10-year-old boy from Benin Republic works on a Lagos construction site, highlighting the line between informal apprenticeship, poverty and child labour. Read More: https://punchng.com/from-classroom-to-construction-site-the-child-labour-journey-from-benin-republic-to-lagos/",
  "key_points": [
    "Ibukun Oluwa, 10, works as tiler apprentice in Lagos",
    "Crossed border from Republic of Benin to Nigeria",
    "Child labor defined by ILO as harming well-being and development"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This case highlights the blurred line between apprenticeship and child labor, as children like Ibukun Oluwa risk harm to their well-being and development in pursuit of skills and family support.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "From classroom to construction site: The child labour journey from Benin Republic to Lagos",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/from-classroom-to-construction-site-the-child-labour-journey-from-10569549",
        "published": "2026-09-29T00:44:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}