The Federal Government of Nigeria has joined forces with the United Nations and several African nations in a high-level partnership aimed at developing urgent and effective child protection strategies.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children in Abuja. The meeting, which also included Nigeria’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, was convened to foster international collaboration and implement policies that ensure every African child grows up in safety and dignity.
According to a statement released on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the gathering focused on strengthening frameworks to eliminate violence against children, a problem that continues to affect millions across Africa. The visit follows a landmark regional summit involving trailblazing African nations committed to the global campaign against child abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim declared, “It is our ethical and shared duty to ensure that no child lives in fear or neglect. This gathering is not symbolic, it is a rallying call for immediate and strategic action. Every child matters, and our policies, budgets, and laws must reflect that.”
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Also present were key figures from across the continent, including Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General; Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi; Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister for Women, Family, and Children, Nasseneba Touré; and Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Center for Women Development.
Professor Yilwatda underscored the urgency of the initiative, emphasizing that many cases of violence persist due to a lack of awareness among parents and guardians. He stressed that the meeting comes at a pivotal moment, as governments across Africa increasingly recognize the need for coordinated interventions to protect children’s rights and welfare.
As global attention turns to Africa’s growing leadership in the fight against child abuse, Nigeria’s role in this groundbreaking alliance positions the nation as a key driver of change. The Abuja meeting marks a significant step toward a unified African strategy to secure a safer, more compassionate future for all children.
