MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS PROPOSES ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION AGENCY 26-02-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has proposed the establishment of a Child Development and Protection Agency (CDPA) to enhance the implementation and enforcement of children’s rights and welfare policies in Nigeria.
This was the outcome of a crucial meeting with the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) management team, who paid her a courtesy visit at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of its children.
In a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, the Minister reportedly emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated implementing arm that will work closely with law enforcement agencies, retention centers, remand homes, and other child protection institutions to ensure the effective enforcement of child rights laws.
“The Ministry is overwhelmed with implementation tasks when, in fact, our core mandate is to design and supervise policies for the government. This is why we need the Child Development and Protection Agency, which will take on implementation, allowing us to focus on policy-making,” Hajiya Imaan stated.
The Minister outlined a roadmap, starting with the development of a zero draft, followed by extensive consultations over the next two to three months. The proposed framework will be presented as an Executive Bill, with active collaboration from the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President.
Highlighting the urgency of this initiative, the Minister stressed that Nigeria’s global standing is closely tied to how it treats its most vulnerable citizens—its children.
She also announced plans to train a dedicated pool of 100 to 200 child protection lawyers who will work at both state and federal levels, ensuring proper legal representation for cases related to adoption, child protection, and welfare issues.
On his part, the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr. Gilles Fagninou, commended the Minister’s efforts in driving the ministry’s mandate, particularly in tackling sexual and gender-based violence against women, children, and vulnerable groups.
He assured the Minister of UNICEF’s continued support and collaboration to improve the welfare of children in Nigeria.