Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reiterated the country’s commitment to eradicating all forms of violence against children by the year 2030.
She also pledged that over two million vulnerable children would receive tailored support services, aligning with international development targets.
The Minister made these remarks in Abuja at the inaugural Regional Meeting of Pathfinder African Countries under the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children.
Progress and Policy Reforms
Reflecting on Nigeria’s progress since the Ministerial Conference held in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 2024, Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is moving from policy commitment to tangible action. This includes the reform of legal frameworks, the expansion of the Safe Schools Programme, the scaling up of parenting support initiatives, and increased budgetary allocation to child protection systems.
She added that since Nigeria’s pledge to eliminate harmful practices in at least 18 states by 2028, the country has taken concrete steps, including reviewing and enforcing the Child Rights Act of 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, to strengthen protection mechanisms.
“In revising our national child policy framework and implementing the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan to End Child Marriage, we are laying a foundation for more accountable, inclusive, and data-driven interventions,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also acknowledged the efforts of governments and stakeholders across the region, urging them to move beyond declarations to measurable and time-bound actions, backed by sufficient resourcing of child protection systems.
“No child, anywhere on this continent, should be invisible to the law or forgotten by policy,” she asserted.
International Support and Partnerships
UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, echoed the call for action, urging African leaders to translate commitments into concrete measures to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation.
“Pledges are not enough. We must focus on shared learning, effective strategies, and collective will to overcome common barriers,” M’jid said, noting that insufficient funding remains a major obstacle to implementing child protection goals. “We have excellent plans, but budgeting often becomes a daunting task,” she added.
Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, said the AUC is ready to support countries in reinforcing political commitment, harmonising regional standards, and ensuring national ownership of child protection initiatives.
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She highlighted that in February 2025, the African Union Heads of State adopted two key frameworks: the AU Accountability Framework on Eliminating Harmful Practices and the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. In addition, work is underway on a model law to ensure online child safety across member states.
Twum-Amoah noted that achieving sustainable change requires strong legislation and enforcement, community mobilisation, survivor support, and embedding child protection in sectors such as health, education, and social welfare.
“Let this not just be another meeting, but a turning point where commitment leads to innovation and every African child is afforded the dignity and safety they deserve,” she urged.
UNICEF’s Position
UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Ms Ramon Ndure, reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for investments that benefit children. She outlined UNICEF’s focus areas: supporting parents and caregivers, promoting safe and inclusive learning environments, strengthening protection systems, and improving data for decision-making.
Ndure called on the 15 Alliance countries in Africa to align roadmaps with national budgets and ensure robust national mechanisms for monitoring and reporting progress.
“As we mark the 35th anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, let us deepen our partnerships and accelerate progress to ensure every child in Africa grows up safe, protected and empowered to realise their full potential,” she said.
About the Alliance
The Pathfinding Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children, launched in Bogotá in November 2024, aims to accelerate progress through multi-stakeholder collaboration, national leadership, and context-specific strategies. As of March 2025, 42 countries including Nigeria and 13 other African nations have joined the initiative.
Despite existing international conventions and national laws, violence against children remains widespread across Africa, affecting children in homes, schools, and communities.
The Abuja meeting is seen as a critical step in deepening regional dialogue, aligning national priorities, and catalysing coordinated action to end violence against children. It also provides a platform for engagement with key partners, including the African Union Commission, regional economic blocs (ECOWAS, ECCAS, EAC, IGAD, SADC), the UN, civil society, faith leaders, survivors, and children themselves.
The meeting underscores a continent-wide commitment to building a future where no African child suffers violence or neglect.
