Abuja: The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a specialised Child Protection and Development Agency, aimed at protecting and promoting the welfare of children across the nation. Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, revealed this initiative at a news conference leading up to the 2025 Children's Day celebration in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the challenges facing children in Nigeria, including child trafficking, forced labour, child marriage, domestic abuse, and abandonment. She emphasized that these issues are unacceptable and that the new agency would offer a comprehensive framework to address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of Nigerian children, ensuring their safety, well-being, and development.
The Minister added that the agency is expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding children's rights, preventing abuse and exploitation, and providing essential support services for vulnerable children. She mentioned that efforts are underway to establish a National Child Protection Data Base and a Child Welfare Index to monitor progress, guide policy, and hold stakeholders accountable for measurable outcomes.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated, "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."
Duncan Harvey, Country Director of SCI, expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of implementing the Child Rights Act and strengthening the child protection system to tackle bullying in and out of school across Nigeria. Harvey advocated for the creation of a national framework for anti-bullying, along with clear policies, implementation plans, funding, and monitoring. He also called for regular training for teachers on safeguarding and positive discipline, the establishment of safe, confidential reporting channels in schools, and nationwide awareness campaigns to ensure children, regardless of gender, disability, or background, feel safe, heard, and protected.