By Justina Auta
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has proposed the establishment of a Child Development and Protection Agency (CDPA) to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of child rights and welfare policies in Nigeria.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim made the proposal in a statement by Mr John Eze, her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
She spoke after a courtesy visit by the management team of the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasised the urgent need for a specialised agency to work closely with law enforcement agencies, retention centers, remand homes, and other child protection institutions to ensure full enforcement of child rights laws.
She said that the ministry was primarily responsible for policy formulation and supervision, adding that the overwhelming task of implementation necessitates the establishment of the CDPA.
“The ministry is overstretched with implementation tasks, whereas our core mandate is to design and oversee policies.
“The CDPA will take on implementation, allowing us to focus on policy-making,” the minister said.
According to her, the proposed agency will be backed by a review of the Child Rights Act, which will serve as the legal framework for its establishment.
She said that the process would commence with the development of a zero draft, followed by extensive consultations over the next two to three months.
“The proposal will subsequently be presented as an executive bill with support from the leadership of the National Assembly,” she said.
Emphasising the urgency of the initiative, the minister said that Nigeria’s global reputation was linked to how it protected its vulnerable citizens, particularly children.
“Every nation is assessed based on how it treats its vulnerable groups, and our children are the most vulnerable. This agency is not optional; it is a necessity,” she Said.
The minister further revealed plans to train between 100 and 200 child protection lawyers who will operate at both state and federal levels.
she said that the lawyers would ensure proper legal representation for cases related to adoption, child protection, and welfare issues.
She also reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in ECOWAS Women and Children Affairs, disclosing that the country will host the first-ever regional meeting for women and children in West Africa, with support from UN Women.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the link between child protection and birth registration, stressing that Universal Cash Grant initiatives require a robust child identification system.
She called for strict data access regulations to safeguard vulnerable children, particularly those affected by insurgency.
“The time for action is now. We must work together to establish a strong and sustainable framework for the protection of Nigerian children.
“With the support of UNICEF and other stakeholders, we are taking a bold step toward ensuring that every child is safeguarded, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
Mr Gilles Fagninou, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, UNICEF, commended the minister for her dedication to advancing the ministry’s mandate.
Fagninou particularly praised hwr effort in addressing sexual and gender-based violence against women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
He assured the minister of UNICEF’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of children in Nigeria.
Other members of the UNICEF delegation included the Country Representative, Cristian Munduate; Chief of Child Protection, Ibrahim Sesay; and Child Protection Manager, Mona Aika, among others.
NAN
