Mohamed Garba
In a move to protect the rights and futures of Nigeria’s youth, President Bola Tinubu has unveiled plans to establish a dedicated Child Protection and Development Agency, signaling a renewed federal commitment to combat violence, exploitation, and systemic neglect affecting millions of children nationwide.
The announcement came during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at the high-profile event, where global and regional stakeholders gathered to address child welfare challenges.
President Tinubu emphasized that the new agency will centralize and streamline Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard children, ensuring policies are “coordinated in a unified and focused manner.”
The initiative builds on existing legal frameworks, including the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, but Tinubu stressed that “legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable.” “It is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference,” he declared. “Our commitment must run deep, reaching into the very architecture of our education and health systems.
This is the soul of our human capital development strategy.” The president outlined a multi-pronged approach to child protection, combining legal enforcement with community-driven prevention. Key initiatives include nationwide programs to promote “positive parenting,” challenge harmful cultural norms, and provide targeted support to at-risk households. Educational reforms will also prioritize socio-emotional learning in school curricula, while the rollout of National Guidelines on Alternative Care aims to ensure children without parental support grow up in stable, nurturing environments.
Tinubu emphasized the urgency of “concrete, deliberate action,” stating, “We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticizing their vulnerability.” He highlighted investments in “safe schools” and healthcare infrastructure as pillars of the administration’s strategy, calling child protection a “moral obligation.”
While 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states have adopted the Child Rights Act since 2003, implementation remains inconsistent, with cultural pushback and resource gaps hindering progress. The new agency seeks to bridge these divides by centralizing funding, enforcement, and data-driven policymaking.
As a Pathfinder Country in the Global Alliance, Nigeria’s pledge aligns with international efforts to eradicate violence against children by 2030. Tinubu urged collaboration between governments, NGOs, and communities, stating, “The real hope lies in action—action that transforms intent into impact.”
The proposed agency’s structure and timeline remain under development, but officials confirm it will operate under the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Advocates have hailed the move as a potential turning point, though some urge swift follow-through to address funding and capacity shortfalls.
