SOS Children’s Villages Launches Child Ombudsman Office To Tackle Abuse, Strengthen Protection

SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria has launched a Child and Youth Ombudsman Office to strengthen Nigeria’s child protection system and provide children and young people with a safe platform to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence and other violations of their rights.

The initiative, unveiled in Abuja under the European Union-funded Strengthening Child Care and Protection Systems in Nigeria project, is being implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Speaking at the inauguration, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NHRC, Chief (Dr.) Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, described the initiative as a major step towards guaranteeing access to justice and protection for every Nigerian child.

He said the Child and Youth Ombudsman Office would provide child-friendly mechanisms for reporting offences, combating child trafficking and ensuring that children’s rights are protected in line with the Constitution, the Child Rights Act 2003, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Ojukwu commended the European Union and SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria for supporting the establishment of the office, saying the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s child protection system and improve institutional response to cases involving children.

Representing the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mrs Victoria Akoji Omale said the initiative goes beyond creating another office, describing it as a critical intervention to make child protection services more accessible and responsive.

According to her, the Child and Youth Helpline will provide children and young people with a safe and confidential channel to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence and other rights violations without fear.

She said the EU-funded project has also strengthened institutional capacity, referral systems and the training of duty bearers to ensure complaints are handled professionally and in the best interests of the child.

Omale disclosed that following the Abuja launch, the Child and Youth Ombudsman mechanism would be inaugurated across the project’s implementing states to bring protection services closer to vulnerable children and communities.

Justice Peters Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory said the establishment of the office was long overdue, recalling cases involving child abuse and trafficking that failed to deliver justice because of institutional weaknesses and poor coordination.

He said many children’s rights remain unrealised despite existing legal protections, urging the new office to ensure prompt handling of complaints, effective referrals and accountability among institutions responsible for child welfare.

Kekemeke also called on government, development partners and civil society organisations to provide sustained financial and institutional support to enable the office to fulfil its mandate.

The representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Principal State Counsel, Ememobong Edeabasi Sunday, described the inauguration as a significant milestone in advancing the protection, participation and promotion of the rights of children and young people in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with the NHRC, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria and other stakeholders to ensure every child has access to justice, protection and equal opportunities.

The Child and Youth Ombudsman Office is expected to strengthen complaint reporting, improve referrals among child protection institutions and enhance access to justice for vulnerable children across Nigeria.