By Nafisat Makinde
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has emphasized the need for collective action to protect the rights and welfare of Nigerian children. As the country joins the rest of Africa to mark the 2025 Day of the African Child, the Minister called on governments, stakeholders, and individuals to prioritize the well-being of children.
According to a press statement disclosed on June 16, 2025, by Jonathan Eze, Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, the theme of this year’s celebration, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” highlights the importance of deliberate planning and budgeting for children’s welfare.
The Minister noted that despite progress made, many Nigerian children still face significant challenges, including displacement, trauma, and disrupted education. She cited the example of over 1.4 million children displaced in 2022 due to climate-induced emergencies and over 10.2 million children out of school in hard-to-reach communities.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the issue of child marriage, which affects approximately 44% of girls in Nigeria. She stressed that these challenges require a concerted effort from all stakeholders to address.
The Minister commended the progress made in domesticating the Child Rights Act in all 36 states and the FCT. However, she emphasized the need for effective implementation and sufficient funding to ensure the protection of children’s rights.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has received an enhanced budget to support initiatives that promote children’s welfare. The Minister expressed her commitment to reviewing existing child-related laws and policies to align them with global best practices.
Some of the initiatives announced include:
Rollout of National Guidelines on Alternative Care to provide a framework for alternative care arrangements for children.
Review of the 2003 Child Rights Act and 2008 National Child Policy to ensure alignment with global best practices.
Development of a National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene to promote menstrual health and hygiene management.
Establishment of a Child Protection Knowledge Hub and Service Structure to provide a platform for child protection services.
Promotion of maternity and paternity leave policies to support working parents.
Strengthening of the Nigerian Children’s Parliament to empower children to engage with policymakers and make their voices heard.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of child participation in governance, citing the National Children’s Parliament as a platform that empowers children to engage with policymakers and make their voices heard.
As Nigeria marks the 2025 Day of the African Child, the Minister called on all stakeholders to deepen their commitment to protecting children’s rights and welfare. She emphasized that investing in children is crucial for building a secure, productive, and prosperous nation.
