By oluyemi israel
In Abuja on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced that the Federal Government is investigating recent reports of child rights violations and rolling out new measures to keep every Nigerian child safe.
The statement, read by ministry spokeswoman EmemMaria Offiong, followed a visit from the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), led by Nigeria’s rapporteur Robert Nanima.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, protecting children isn’t just a policy goal, it’s a national mission. The minister stressed that every child deserves a safe, caring home and fair treatment in court. She made it clear that any abuse or neglect will be met with swift action.
To make this vision real, the government will:
- Investigate allegations in real time and hold offenders responsible
- Fully adopt the Child Rights Act in all 36 states and update the National Child Policy
- Amend the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and set up a Child Protection and Development Agency
- Launch the “See Something, Say Something, We Do Something” campaign so anyone can report abuse instantly
- Expand child-friendly courts, offer legal aid to vulnerable youngsters, and train judges and lawyers on child protection
- Create a National Child Protection Database, a Child Well-being Index, and a Research and Information Centre with UNICEF’s help
With these steps, stronger laws, better reporting tools, and hands-on training, Nigeria aims to build a future where every child can grow up safe, healthy, and ready to thrive.