The Lagos State Government has warned founders and operators of orphanage homes across the state to comply strictly with approved operational standards and regulatory requirements or face sanctions, as part of efforts to strengthen child protection and safeguard the welfare of vulnerable children.

 

 

A statement by the Lagos State government said the warning was given during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Creches and Orphanages Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall in Alausa.

 

The meeting, themed “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanage Homes,” brought together founders and operators of orphanage homes to promote collaboration and improve standards in residential child care across Lagos.

 

 

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, described orphanage homes as key partners in the state’s child protection system.

 

He said the facilities are expected to provide more than shelter by creating safe and supportive environments where children can access quality education, healthcare, psychosocial support and opportunities to achieve their full potential.

 

 

According to him, compassion alone is not enough, as it must be backed by professionalism, accountability and full compliance with established laws and operational standards.

 

Ogunlende said the state had put in place clear operational guidelines to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation while ensuring proper documentation, effective case management and dignified care delivered with transparency and accountability.

 

“Children requiring institutional care must be placed in approved homes through due legal processes and court orders where applicable,” he said.

 

 

He also assured operators of continued government support through policy guidance, technical assistance, capacity-building programmes, as well as stronger monitoring and enforcement of child welfare regulations.

 

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, commended orphanage operators for supporting the government’s efforts to protect vulnerable children.

 

She, however, stressed that compassion alone cannot guarantee quality care for children living in orphanages.

 

The Permanent Secretary said compliance with regulations remains compulsory, adding that orphanage homes must meet minimum standards, including proper registration and licensing, child-friendly facilities, qualified and screened caregivers, sound financial accountability, comprehensive record management and effective child safeguarding policies.

 

Participants at the meeting also received expert presentations on legal compliance and child protection.

 

Delivering a presentation titled “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanages,” the Director of Legal Services in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Kemi Olugbode, explained the legal framework guiding orphanage operations in Lagos under the Child’s Rights Law.

 

She said the law places the best interest of every child above every other consideration and stressed that every orphanage must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and licensed by the Ministry before commencing operations.

 

Olugbode added that children requiring institutional care must be admitted into approved homes through due legal processes and court orders where necessary.

 

She also highlighted the importance of proper record keeping, qualified personnel, child protection policies, adequate nutrition, education, healthcare, counselling, regular inspections, and compliance with infrastructure and staffing requirements.

 

She further recommended mandatory background checks for staff, regular training and clearly defined qualifications for caregivers to improve the quality of care in orphanage homes.

 

Also speaking, Mr. Akeushola Olatunji of the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry reminded participants that every child has the right to safety, care and protection.

 

He noted that children living in orphanages are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation if proper safeguards are not in place.

 

Olatunji identified physical, emotional, sexual and verbal abuse, neglect and child exploitation as major threats to children’s wellbeing.

 

He urged operators to prevent such incidents by employing qualified personnel, conducting background checks, training staff on child protection, enforcing safeguarding policies, supervising interactions between staff and children, and promoting positive discipline.

 

He also advocated adequate nutrition, healthcare, education, emotional support, secure living conditions and effective reporting mechanisms, stressing that protecting children from abuse and exploitation requires collective responsibility, vigilance and teamwork.

 

The Chairman of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Lagos State Chapter, Alhaji Ganiu Olaiwola, commended the Ministry for organising the stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a timely initiative that continues to equip operators with the knowledge needed to manage orphanage homes in line with approved standards.

 

Olaiwola disclosed that the association has set up a task force across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos to monitor orphanage homes and ensure compliance with the Child’s Rights Law and other regulatory requirements.

 

“Any orphanage found to be operating in breach of the law or approved operational guidelines would be appropriately sanctioned, including being shut down where necessary, to safeguard the welfare and best interests of children in institutional care,” Olaiwola said.

 

The meeting ended with renewed commitments by the Lagos State Government and orphanage operators to strengthen collaboration, maintain high standards of child care and ensure that every vulnerable child in the state grows up in a safe, secure and nurturing environment where their rights and dignity are fully protected.