The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a specialised Child Protection and Development Agency, dedicated to protecting and promoting the welfare of children nationwide.
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs made this known on Monday at a news conference ahead of the 2025 Children’s Day celebration in Abuja.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted the challenges affecting children, ranging from child trafficking, forced labor, child marriage, domestic abuse and abandonment, notice g that the vices are unacceptable.
She said the new initiative would provide a comprehensive framework for addressing the unique needs and vulnerabilities of Nigerian children, ensuring their safety, well-being, and development.
She added that the agency is expected to play a critical role in safeguarding children’s rights, preventing child abuse and exploitation, and providing support services for vulnerable children.
According to her, efforts were in place to establish a National Child Protection Data Base and a Child Welfare Index to track progress, guide policy affecting childre, and hold ourselves accountable to measurable outcomes.
“And most importantly, Nigeria will establish a dedicated child protection and development agency, a single coordinated institutional framework that will streamline all national efforts related to children’s welfare development and protection.
“This agency will ensure coherence, efficiency, and long-term impact across programmes and stakeholders,” she said.
Duncan Harvey, Country Director, SCI, emphasised their supports toward implementing the Child Rights Act and strengthening child’s protection system to address bullying in and out of school across Nigeria.
Harvey stressed the need for the establishment of a national framework for anti-bullying, clear policies, implementation plans, funding, and monitoring.
He also advocated for regular training of teachers on safeguarding and positive discipline, establish safe, confidential reporting channels in schools and nationwide awareness campaigns to protect children regardless of gender, disability, or background, feel safe, heard, and protected.(NAN)
