Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, has stated that the Federal Government is actively addressing recent allegations of child rights violations in parts of the country.
She noted that efforts are underway to safeguard children, support families, and strengthen legal protection frameworks.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by EmemMaria Offiong, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry.
The statement followed a visit by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), led by Mr Robert Nanima, Nigeria’s Country Rapporteur and head of the ACERWC delegation.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to the protection and well-being of every Nigerian child under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Child protection, development, and family cohesion are not just policy objectives, they are national imperatives,” she said.
While investigations into the allegations are ongoing, she emphasised that Nigeria continued to take proactive, systemic steps to create a safe, just, and nurturing environment for every child.
She outlined several reforms and programmes aimed at protecting vulnerable children and supporting families.
These, she said, included a review of the Child Rights Act to ensure full domestication across all 36 states and an update to the National Child Policy.
Other initiatives include the amendment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) and the establishment of a Child Protection and Development Agency.
She also mentioned the implementation of the EVAC Costed National Action Plan and the National Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children.
She also highlighted the ministry’s newly inaugurated campaign, “See Something, Say Something, We Do Something,” which aims to provide citizens with accessible platforms to report abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
The campaign, according to her was designed to ensure real-time responses and justice for affected children.
Additional government initiatives included the expansion of child-friendly courts and legal aid for vulnerable children, capacity building for justice professionals on child protection, and the rollout of alternative care guidelines that emphasised family-based reintegration.
She said to further strengthen families, the government would inaugurate the National Family Cohesion and Development Programme, targeting more than 5 million Nigerians to build strong, resilient family units.
“To track real-time improvements and guide policies, the government is establishing a National Child Protection Database and a Child Well-being Index,” the Minister added.
She also revealed plans to operationalise a Child Protection Research and Information Centre with technical support from UNICEF and other development partners, in collaboration with state governments.
In his remarks, Nanima expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s hospitality and transparency.
“We are not here to indict but to collaborate. Nigeria’s willingness to engage and share its efforts shows true leadership in child rights.
“Africa must work as a community to give its children the future they deserve,” he said.
Other members of the delegation included Joseph Sunday-Sinnah, ACERWC Member; Dr. Ayalew Getachew-Assefa, Acting Executive Secretary of the ACERWC Secretariat; and Ms. Adiam Zemenfes Tsighe, Senior Legal Researcher.
Also present were Ms. Opal Sibanda Masocha, Legal Researcher; Mr. Solomon Onsase, Senior Finance Officer; and additional technical experts. (NAN)
