By Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs marked a significant milestone in its efforts to combat violence against children, as Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim delivered a keynote address at the Regional Meeting of Pathfinding Countries on Ending Violence Against Children on May 7-8, 2025.
The Minister emphasized the need for collective action to protect children from all forms of violence, highlighting the shared responsibility of nations under the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children. “Africa is rising in innovation and enterprise, but our progress will remain incomplete if we do not protect our most vulnerable—the children,” she stated.
The Nigeria Concept, a strategic framework developed under the Ministry of Women Affairs, aligns with the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the National Development Plan 2021-2025. This framework aims to:
- Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Advance child protection, participation, and development
- Embed inclusive policies that respond to the needs of vulnerable populations
To achieve these goals, Nigeria is working with other countries to:
- Harmonize regional policies
- Establish cross-border child protection frameworks
- Develop joint funding strategies
- Share data and best practices
A key highlight of the event was the over 1,000% budgetary enhancement approved by the President for child protection initiatives. This significant increase in funding will enable structural reforms, public-private partnerships, and the establishment of the Child Protection Knowledge and Data Center.
The Minister concluded, “Let us speak with one voice at the African Union. Let us place children at the heart of our development agenda.” The event marks a critical step toward galvanizing African unity around child protection and elevating the voices and rights of children across the continent.
