By Waziri Isa Adam (Group Editor-in-chief)

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, has inaugurated a committee led by Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, as Lead Consultant, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Maryam Keshinro, as Chairperson, to review the National Child Policy 2007.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja on January 24, 2025.

According to the Minister, the review of the policy is crucial in ensuring that the rights of children are upheld and their needs are met. She emphasized that children are the cornerstone of the nation and the leaders of tomorrow.

The Minister noted that while significant progress has been made in sectors like education, health, and child protection since the inception of the policy, challenges persist. These challenges include poverty, gender inequality, inadequate access to quality education, and the impacts of insecurity that threaten the futures of children.

Prof ladan with the Hon Minister IMAAN SULEIMAN-IBRAHIM ( middle) and the permanent secretary.

The committee’s task is to review the policy and provide recommendations for improvement. The Minister urged the committee members to adopt a holistic approach, engaging with stakeholders across all sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector.

She also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that the policy addresses the diverse needs of all children, including those from marginalized communities and those with disabilities.

The Minister encouraged the committee to leverage technology and innovation in their approach, ensuring that the policy is adaptable to the changing needs of children.

The review of the National Child Policy 2007 is expected to be completed by November 31, 2025. The Minister expressed her appreciation to the committee members for their willingness to serve and contribute to the well-being of children in Nigeria.

Prof Ladan with members of the committee including representative of UNICEF.

As part of his responsibilities, Professor Ladan, as the lead consultant to guide the committee in producing the revised policy and its implementation plan, will also produce a Draft National Child Development Agency Bill 2025.

The Minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating a conducive environment for her ministry to operate effectively. She also acknowledged the support of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

The inauguration of the committee marks a significant step towards ensuring that the rights and needs of children in Nigeria are prioritized. The Minister’s speech emphasized the importance of collective effort in creating a brighter future for children.

The terms of reference for the committee include developing a repository for desk review, conducting a comprehensive review of existing policies, and determining the scope of the review of the National Child Policy 2007.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *