Olusegun Adeyemo
The National President of the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (AOHON), Dr Gabriel Oyediji, has emphasized the critical need for an enabling environment that promotes the growth, protection, and development of every Nigerian child—especially those living without parental care.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Journal Nigeria, Dr Oyediji outlined a comprehensive vision for strengthening the country’s foster care system, which he described as an “urgent national imperative.”
According to him, the current state of child welfare in Nigeria exposes countless vulnerable children to poverty, neglect, abuse, abandonment, and even trafficking—systemic challenges that continue to cripple their chances of leading productive lives.
“Effective foster care is not just a charitable solution; it’s a strategic intervention,” Dr Oyediji said. “When well-structured, it can help break the generational cycle of vulnerability and instability, empowering children to reach their full potential in a secure, loving environment.”
Dr Oyediji stressed that the increasing number of children without adequate parental care demands a more proactive and coordinated national response. He warned that orphanages alone cannot shoulder the burden of caring for these children and advocated instead for a functional, celebrated, and trustworthy foster care system as a sustainable alternative.
He said such a system must be rooted in strategic collaboration between stakeholders including government agencies, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and traditional institutions.
“No single entity can achieve this in isolation. We need everyone on board—governments at all levels, religious bodies, NGOs, private sector players, and community leaders. Together, we can build a system where foster care is not seen as a last resort but as a dignified and transformative choice,” he added.
As part of the reforms required to advance child welfare in Nigeria, Dr Oyediji called for the establishment of a dedicated Unwanted Pregnancy Department at the local government level. The unit, he said, would work closely with social welfare officers to support pregnant women in distress, reduce cases of child abandonment, and provide options for safe and legal foster care placements.