Federal Govt, Group Push For Stronger Child Protection Measures

The federal government and Save the Children International have renewed calls for stronger protection of children’s rights, improved access to education, and intensified efforts to eliminate child marriage across the country.

The advocacy was reinforced in Abuja at the 7th National Children’s Parliament and the launch of the State of Nigerian Girl Report II (2025), a follow-up to the 2011 baseline report.

The event brought together officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Save the Children International, child delegates, and members of the Children’s Parliament.

Speaking at the event, Duncan Harvey, Country Director of Save the Children International, said the organisation was pleased to partner with the ministry in unveiling the second edition of the report.

He noted that new findings show encouraging progress in reducing child marriage in some states.

“We are celebrating progress today, especially the reduction in child marriage from 44 per cent several years ago to lower levels today,” Harvey said.

He added that while the pace of improvement varies across states, sustained engagement with families and communities remains crucial.

“A key message from the report is: let’s listen to children, let’s work with communities and families, and re-double our efforts to confront child marriage,” he said, stressing that early marriage disrupts girls’ education and exposes them to long-term disadvantages.

Harvey urged parents, communities, and all levels of government to increase investment in children’s education, health, and safety, noting that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on giving every child the opportunity to thrive.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, said Nigerian children continue to excel despite numerous challenges and must be protected at all times.

She described the new report as a vital tool that will inform policy development and strengthen future interventions.

“It is a record of where we are and what we have done. We can use it to introduce new policies and make meaningful changes for the Nigerian child,” she said.

Keshinro noted that recent incidents of child kidnapping have further strengthened the ministry’s resolve to enhance safety measures.

“We are not taking it lightly. It is our duty to ensure children are protected so they can learn without fear,” she added.

Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary for the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said the FCT was intensifying the enforcement of child protection laws, including the Violence Against Children Act and disability-related interventions.

She said the administration is working closely with traditional rulers, area councils, and community leaders to address issues affecting out-of-school children, children with disabilities, and those in IDP camps.

“For us in the FCT, we leave no child behind whether living with disability, in vulnerable communities, or on the streets,” she stated.

On his part, the Director of Child Development at the ministry, Ali Andrew Madugu, announced the launch of the Alternative Care document derived from the Child Rights Act, describing it as a major milestone in strengthening child welfare systems nationwide.

He emphasised that full implementation, not just domestication of the Child Rights Act, remains the government’s priority.

“The ministry is determined to ensure that strategic child rights implementation committees are established at state and local government levels,” he said.

Madugu added that existing collaboration between the Federal Government and the FCT has already helped curb cases of child abduction and trafficking.

“No one should keep quiet. If you see or hear anything that looks like violence against a child, report it. We are ready to act proactively,” he said.