By Palma Ileye
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria and development partners, has inaugurated the Child and Youth Ombudsman Office in Abuja to strengthen child protection systems and provide faster access to justice for children facing abuse, exploitation, trafficking and other rights violations.
The initiative, funded by the European Union (EU), is designed as a child-friendly platform where children and young people can safely report cases of abuse while ensuring prompt referrals, coordinated interventions and improved accountability among relevant institutions.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday, representative of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Akoji Omale, said the initiative goes beyond establishing an office, as it focuses on building stronger systems capable of responding effectively to child protection concerns.
Omale said the organisation, through its partnership with the NHRC, had invested in strengthening institutional capacity, improving referral systems, training duty bearers and providing resources required to deliver child-centred services.
“Through our partnership with the National Human Rights Commission, we have invested not only in establishing this office but also in building institutional capacity, strengthening referral systems, training duty bearers, and providing the resources needed to deliver quality, child-centred services
“The result is a stronger and more responsive child protection system where every child and young person has access to safe reporting mechanisms; where complaints are handled with dignity and professionalism; where referrals are effective; and where institutions are equipped to respond promptly and always in the best interests of the child,” she said.
She noted that effective child protection requires more than laws and policies, stressing the need for strong institutions, accountable systems and accessible services that children and families can rely on.
According to her, the newly introduced Child and Youth Helpline will provide children and young people with a secure avenue to report abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation and other violations of their rights without fear.
She explained that the initiative was part of the European Union-funded Strengthening Child Care and Protection Systems in Nigeria Project, implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria in partnership with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Jerry Law Foundation.
She added that the Abuja launch represents the first phase of the project, with plans to extend the mechanism to participating states in the coming weeks.
“At SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, we believe that effective child protection goes beyond laws and policies. It requires strong institutions, accountable systems, and accessible services that children and families can rely on when they need them most.
“The Child and Youth Helpline represents exactly that. It strengthens Nigeria’s child protection system by providing a safe and accessible channel for children and young people to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, and other violations of their rights without fear.
“This inauguration marks only the beginning. In the coming weeks, this important mechanism will also be launched across our project States, bringing child and youth protection services even closer to the communities that need them most,” she said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Chief Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, described the initiative as a major step towards ensuring that children have access to justice and platforms where their voices can be heard.
“The inauguration of this initiative reflects our collective commitment to ensuring that every child has access to justice, protection, and a platform where their voices can be heard,” Ojukwu said.
He appreciated the support of the European Union and other development partners, saying the collaboration would strengthen Nigeria’s child protection framework.
Ojukwu stated that the office would provide child-friendly reporting mechanisms for offences against children, support efforts against child trafficking and promote the protection of children’s rights in line with the Child Rights Act 2003, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
He commended SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria and other stakeholders for developing operational procedures to guide complaint handling, referrals and follow-up actions.
Justice Peters Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory described the Child and Youth Ombudsman Office as an important innovation that would help address gaps in Nigeria’s child protection system.
He recalled cases from his judicial experience involving child abuse and trafficking, noting that they exposed challenges such as poor coordination, delays and inadequate support systems.
According to him, the new office has a critical responsibility to ensure children’s complaints are handled promptly and that institutional challenges do not prevent vulnerable children from accessing justice.
“The rights of children are clearly protected under the Child Rights Act 2003 and other relevant laws. However, those rights must be effectively implemented and enforced,” Kekemeke said.
He urged government agencies, development partners and civil society organisations to provide sustained financial and institutional support to enable the office achieve its objectives.
“I therefore appeal to government, development partners, civil society organisations, and all stakeholders to provide the financial and institutional support required for this initiative to succeed. With sustained commitment and collaboration, the Child and Youth Ombudsman Office can become a strong platform for protecting the rights, welfare, and dignity of every child in Nigeria,” he said.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Justice, Principal State Counsel Ememobong Edeabasi Sunday described the inauguration as a significant milestone in promoting child rights, protection and participation in Nigeria.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to improve access to justice for children and strengthen the implementation of child rights across the country.
“The Federal Ministry of Justice remains committed to working with all partners to ensure that justice is accessible to every child and that the rights and welfare of children across Nigeria are effectively safeguarded,” she said.
