Prosper Okoye
Child protection actors across Nigeria have called for stronger coordination, improved shelter systems, and practical action to safeguard vulnerable children, as the Child Protection Network (CPN) held its 4th Annual Child and Society Conference in Abuja.
The gathering brought together government agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners to review progress and chart a way forward in addressing child protection challenges in a changing social and economic environment.
Speaking at the dinner event, the National Coordinator of CPN Nigeria, Mr Olakunle Sanni, said the network remains committed to strengthening child protection systems across the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe noted that the conference provides an opportunity to reflect on past efforts while developing new strategies to improve outcomes for children.
“CPN has been at the forefront of child protection in Nigeria for about 16 years, and we will not relent in this mandate,” he said.
A major highlight of the event was the address by the Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Majesty Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, after receiving an award conferred on him by CPN. He stressed that protecting vulnerable children must go beyond rhetoric.
“I dedicate this award to every child yet to be found. This is a call to duty — a call to reach out to vulnerable children who are not yet within the scope of our services,” he said.
Drawing from his experience in the correctional service, the monarch recounted encounters with children in custodial settings, including cases where infants lived with incarcerated mothers under difficult conditions.
The experience, he said, exposed gaps in child welfare, particularly in care, nutrition, and development for children in custody.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s major challenge is not the absence of policies, but weak coordination among stakeholders.
“For too long, individuals and organisations have worked in silos. There is a need for a central platform to harmonise efforts and drive collective action,” he added.
He also identified shelter as a critical gap in Nigeria’s child protection system and urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions to concrete action.
“Set up technical committees, develop strategic plans, and take deliberate steps. What you are doing is not just a job — it is a calling,” he said.
The monarch was honoured for confronting harmful traditional practices, including infanticide, and for promoting the rights and dignity of children within communities.
Also speaking, Kolawole Olatosimi of the Child and Youth Protection Foundation reflected on the early struggles of the network, noting that many initially doubted its sustainability.
“I remember the first meeting in Abuja when many people did not believe it would work. Today, 16 years later, CPN is still standing,” he said.
He said the network has helped build a shared commitment among stakeholders towards the welfare and protection of children across Nigeria.
“That bond is the well-being of every Nigerian child, in every community,” he added.
Olatosimi was also recognised for his contributions to child rights advocacy and his involvement in national policy platforms addressing child labour, violence against children, and child marriage.
Another award recipient, Dr Gabriel Oyediji, was recognised for his grassroots work in child protection and orphan care.
As a pioneering coordinator of CPN in Alimosho, Lagos State, Oyediji has led initiatives to improve child rescue operations and strengthen orphanage systems.
Through his organisations, he provides care for dozens of orphaned children while advocating for stronger foster care systems in Nigeria.
He warned that orphanages remain vulnerable due to poor funding and inadequate security, stressing the need for alternative care systems to protect at-risk children.
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Participants at the conference agreed that while progress has been made, more deliberate efforts are needed to strengthen coordination, expand support systems, and ensure that no child is left behind.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
