Prosper Okoye
The Federal Government says it will establish a new agency dedicated to child protection as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen policies affecting children.
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the 4th Annual Child and Society Conference and Awards organised by the Child Protection Network.
She said the planned agency would emerge from the ongoing review of the Child Rights Act of 2003 and the National Child Policy of 2008, both of which are being updated to address emerging challenges affecting children.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the minister, the reforms aim to create a stronger institutional framework focused solely on the protection and development of Nigerian children.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Protecting Children in a Changing World: Technology, Trends, and Transformation,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said rapid technological advancement and shifting social realities have increased children’s exposure to risks such as online exploitation, cyberbullying, misinformation and harmful content.
She said the government considers child protection a national priority tied to sustainable development, noting that Nigeria’s future depends on how well children are nurtured and protected.
The minister added that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised child welfare under its Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the government is also strengthening mechanisms for child participation in governance, including the Child Rights Parliament, to ensure children contribute to decisions affecting them.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria’s large youth population, with nearly half under the age of 15, makes it imperative to invest in child welfare and development.
She noted that recent initiatives include the launch of national action plans on ending violence against children and child marriage, both backed by implementation frameworks.
The minister said the government is also investing in building a specialised child protection workforce and mapping non-governmental organisations to improve coordination of interventions.
She added that a “Future and Now Programme” under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Initiative would equip children across the country’s 774 local government areas with skills needed for global competitiveness.
The government, she said, is also supporting vulnerable families through nutrition programmes and planned cash grants to improve child welfare from birth.
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Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for a multi-sectoral approach to child protection, urging parents, educators, civil society and the private sector to work with government efforts.
She commended the organisers of the conference for promoting dialogue and collaboration on child protection issues and praised award recipients for their contributions.
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
