Children Face Abuse, Poverty, Neglect Despite Protection Laws – Expert Warns
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – A child rights advocate has called for stricter enforcement of Nigeria’s Child’s Rights Act as the country marks the 2026 Children’s Day celebration amid growing concerns over child welfare, education and protection.
Speaking with Africa Health Report on Tuesday, Tayo Oloruntola says Children’s Day should move beyond parades and ceremonies to become a moment of national reflection on the condition of Nigerian children.
“Children’s Day is widely regarded as an opportunity to assess the condition of Nigerian children and examine whether their rights are being protected,” Oloruntola says.
“The future of the country depends heavily on how effectively children are protected, educated, and empowered.”
He warns that poverty, child labour, trafficking, insecurity, malnutrition, sexual abuse and rising numbers of out-of-school children continue to threaten millions of children nationwide.
According to him, the Child’s Rights Act guarantees the welfare, dignity and development of every child under 18 and aligns with international agreements including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The legal practitioner notes that although about 34 states domesticate the law, enforcement remains weak because of corruption, poor awareness, weak institutions and poverty.
“Several children still suffer violations daily due to poverty, weak institutions, corruption, and poor public awareness,” he says.
Oloruntola also raises concerns over child labour, trafficking and early marriage, warning that many children remain trapped in hazardous labour, domestic servitude and street hawking instead of attending school.
He says insecurity and attacks on schools in parts of northern Nigeria continue to disrupt learning and worsen the out-of-school children crisis.
The advocate calls for increased investment in education, healthcare and social welfare programmes while urging stronger prosecution of offenders involved in child abuse and exploitation.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Otamere Gladness 