Federal Government has commenced moves to strengthen Nigeria’s child protection system and ensure that commitments to ending violence against children were translated into measurable, adequately funded and accountable actions.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, (FMWASD), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated this at the National Preparatory Meeting for Nigeria’s participation at the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC), held in Abuja ahead of the global conference scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2026, in Manila, Philippines.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Child Development, Mr. Ali Andrew Madugu, said the preparatory meeting was critical to consolidating Nigeria’s progress since the First Global Ministerial Conference held in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2024.
She said Nigeria must move from activity-based reporting to results-based reporting by providing verified data on the geographical coverage of interventions, beneficiaries reached, resources mobilised and outcomes achieved in preventing and responding to violence against children.
According to her, the Federal Government’s commitment to child protection was further reinforced by the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, stressing that strengthening the family remained central to preventing child abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim listed key areas of the government’s Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions to include strengthening child protection and enforcement systems, accelerating implementation of the revised Child Rights Act, improving child protection data systems, promoting positive parenting, creating safe learning environments, expanding alternative care and psychosocial support, strengthening digital safety and ensuring meaningful participation of children and young people in policy development.
She disclosed that the Ministry had also concluded the formal validation of critical national policies, Standard Operating Procedures and operational frameworks relating to child protection.
The Minister said the validated instruments, including updated alternative care standards and streamlined reporting and referral protocols, would provide operational benchmarks for stakeholders involved in child protection across the country.
She urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and community leaders to provide timely, comprehensive and evidence-based data to support the preparation of Nigeria’s national report and commitments for the Manila Conference.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, represented by the Deputy Director, Child Development, Mrs Mariam Fitumi Shaibu, said the consultation was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s progress since the Bogotá Conference and coordinating the country’s participation in Manila.
Asanye recalled that Nigeria made seven commitments in Bogotá covering support for parents and caregivers, safe and enabling schools, response and support services, legal and policy reforms, ending harmful practices, human, financial and infrastructure resources, as well as data and monitoring.
She said the Manila Conference would provide Nigeria an opportunity to share its experiences, learn from other countries, strengthen international cooperation and reaffirm its commitment to ending violence against children.
She said the expected outcome of the national consultation was an agreed Nigerian position, priority messages, specific commitments and practical actions to be presented at the Manila Conference.
The Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Nigeria, Natalie McCauley, urged stakeholders to place children and young people at the centre of Nigeria’s preparations, while assessing progress against the country’s Bogotá commitments and identifying implementation gaps.
McCauley cited findings from the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, which showed that nine in 10 children aged one to 14 had experienced at least one form of violent discipline by caregivers, while only 57 per cent of children under five had their births registered with civil authorities.
She noted that violence against children occurred in homes, schools, institutions, communities and online, stressing the need for a comprehensive child protection system capable of reaching children wherever they live.
Similarly, the Acting Director, Programme Development, Impact and Influencing, Save the Children Nigeria, Mrs. Yemisi Erhunmwunse, said ending violence against children required political commitment, adequate resources, strong systems, effective services and active participation of children.
She urged stakeholders to develop clear, realistic and measurable commitments backed by ownership, financing and accountability.
The Speaker of the National Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Progress Friday Umoh, also presented children’s priorities for Nigeria’s engagement at the Manila Conference.
The children called for safe and inclusive schools, stronger families and social protection, effective implementation of child protection laws, protection of children in the digital space, meaningful child participation, reliable data and stronger protection of children affected by insecurity.
They also advocated early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms around schools and communities, as well as coordinated security measures to ensure that children do not have to choose between their education and safety.
The consultation brought together representatives of government MDAs, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, children and young people.
