By Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to protecting and uplifting every Nigerian child.
Speaking during an official visit by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) to Nigeria, led by Hon. Robert Nanima, Minister Imaan addressed recent allegations of child rights violations in parts of the country and outlined the government’s multi-layered strategy to safeguard children, support families, and strengthen legal protection frameworks.
“Child protection, development, and family cohesion are not just policy objectives — they are national imperatives,” Minister Imaan stated. “While the allegations remain under investigation, Nigeria continues to take proactive and systemic steps to create a safe, just, and nurturing environment for every child.”
The Minister outlined a series of landmark reforms and programs designed to protect vulnerable children and support family systems, including Review of the Child Rights Act to ensure full domestication across all 36 states, with a focus on enhancing child-friendly justice and enforcement.
Update of the National Child Policy to reflect evolving social dynamics and international best practices.
Amendment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) to fill critical legal gaps in addressing violence against children.
Establishment of a Child Protection and Development Agency to streamline all efforts under one institutional framework.
Implementation of the EVAC Costed National Action Plan and National Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children.
The Ministry is also championing a bold new initiative — the “See Something, Say Something, We Do Something” campaign, providing citizens with accessible platforms to report abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
This will ensure real-time responses and justice for affected children.
Hon. Robert Nanima, Nigeria’s Country Rapporteur and Head of the Delegation, appreciated Nigeria’s hospitality and transparency.
He emphasized that the Committee’s visit was part of a fact-finding mission to assess the reported concerns and understand the local context. “We are not here to indict but to collaborate. Nigeria’s willingness to engage and share its efforts shows true leadership in child rights.
Africa must work as a community to give its children a future they deserve,” said Hon. Nanima.
Other dignitaries at the event included Hon. Joseph Sunday Sinnah, ACERWC Member, Dr. Ayalew Getachew Assefa, Acting Executive Secretary, ACERWC Secretariat, Ms. Adiam Zemenfes Tsighe, Senior Legal Researcher, Ms. Opal Sibanda Masocha, Legal Researcher, Mr. Solomon Onsase, Senior Finance Officer, and other technical experts. The Honourable Minister was joined by key officials including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Director of Child Development, Head of Press and Public relations, and the Special Adviser to the Minister.
“We are committed, we are accountable, and we are not leaving any child behind,” Minister Imaan reiterated.
