Justice-sector stakeholders have begun a national review of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act with the aim of strengthening legal protections for children and addressing new challenges that have emerged since the law was enacted more than two decades ago.
The three-day engagement, organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with UNICEF and International IDEA, brought together policymakers, judges, legislators, law-enforcement officials, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Solicitor-General Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, said investment in children was central to national development, human capital, security and long-term prosperity.
He said the review should focus on closing the gap between rights contained in legislation and the reality experienced by children across the country.
Court of Appeal Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, co-chair of the review committee, urged participants to use their professional experience to identify practical reforms.
Federal High Court Chief Judge John Tsoho, represented by Justice James Omotosho, said the Nigerian child now faced challenges that were either less visible or not contemplated when the Act was enacted in 2003.
He cited the digital environment, insecurity, child labour, child marriage and uneven domestication and enforcement across states.
The judiciary, he said, needed clearer legal definitions, stronger enforcement tools, child-friendly procedures and closer coordination with police, social welfare agencies, traditional institutions and religious organizations.
Speaker of the National Children Parliament Progress Umoh said the review should test whether the law still reflected the realities of children growing up in present-day Nigeria.
Participants are expected to develop recommendations for legislative amendment and stronger implementation of child protection safeguards nationwide.
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