FG Advised To Initiate Policy to Strengthen Child Right in Nigeria

FG Advised To Initiate Policy to Strengthen Child Right in Nigeria

Stakeholders in Child Rights Protection have called on Nigerian Government to strengthen the legal and policy frameworks guiding child protection to address the growing child protection challenges in Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch a comprehensive European Union-funded project in Abuja, Country Director of SOS Children’s Village, Eghosa Erhumwunse, emphasized the urgent need to reinforce childcare and protection systems nationwide, citing a lack of consistent structures that ensure the safety and well-being of children. He added that the ultimate value of the project lies in restoring safety, dignity, and hope to children whose rights have been neglected for far too long.

The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, and the representative of Jireh Doo Foundation, Paul Yongu decried the worsening child protection landscape in Nigeria, citing widespread abuse often perpetrated by those closest to the child, including parents and even the state.

They called for stricter penalties, better education, and holistic interventions to address acute malnutrition, especially in northern Nigeria, where children face life-threatening hunger and developmental setbacks. The initiative, which will run for 36 months, is a comprehensive and structured response targeting Edo, Borno, and Plateau states, as well as institutions at the national level. With the support of the European Union, the project will be implemented by SOS Children’s Villages, in partnership with CISLAC and the Giro d’Oro Foundation.