The Lagos State Law Reform Commission (LAWRECCOM) has outlined stronger safeguards contained in the ongoing review of the Lagos State Child's Rights Law. The proposals include mandatory reporting of child abuse, clearer institutional responsibilities, improved mental health and psychosocial support, stronger digital safety measures, and better systems for alternative care.
The proposed framework is intended to make child protection more preventive, coordinated, and responsive to risks that children face at home, in school, within the community, and online. It would also strengthen protection for children living with disabilities and improve the treatment of children who come into contact with the justice system.
LAWRECOM is undertaking the review as part of its statutory responsibility to keep the laws of Lagos State relevant, effective, and responsive to contemporary realities. The reforms have direct implications for parents, guardians, caregivers, teachers, schools, service providers, and public institutions responsible for children's welfare.
A stakeholders’ engagement was earlier convened by the Office of the First Lady (OFL) as part of the process for the ongoing Lagos State Child's Rights Law review and to facilitate the provision of an appropriate legal framework for the Lagos Boy Child Initiative.
A central feature of the proposed framework is the clearer allocation of responsibilities to institutions and professionals responsible for protecting children. It provides for mandatory reporting of abuse, stronger arrangements for receiving and responding to reports, improved investigation and case assessment, professional standards, inspections, complaints procedures, and sanctions.
The proposals also include an electronic system for tracking missing children, intended to support faster coordination among relevant agencies, and improve the response when a child is missing or at immediate risk.
The Executive Secretary of LAWRECOM, Mrs. Oluyemisi Ogunlola, said, "The draft links the rights of the child with responsible institutions, reporting duties, timelines, professional standards, inspections, complaints and sanctions."
The proposed reforms place greater emphasis on identifying and addressing risks before a child suffers serious harm, and provide for mental-health support, psychosocial assessment and services, mentorship and early-intervention measures for children facing emotional distress, substance abuse, harmful digital influences, abuse or exploitation.
Ogunlola said the proposed approach would move the system from reactive protection to prevention. "Mental-health systems, psychosocial assessment, mandatory reporting and early-intervention programmes are designed to identify and address risks before serious harm occurs", she added.
The framework also recognises the needs of children living with disabilities as it seeks to provide inclusive opportunities, specialised support, and protection from stigma and discrimination.
Where a child comes into contact with the law, the proposals emphasise the child's circumstances, rehabilitation, diversion from unnecessary incarceration, and safe reintegration into family and community life. The aim is to ensure that intervention supports accountability and recovery while protecting the child's dignity and future development.
The proposed framework would also strengthen arrangements for children who cannot remain safely with their biological parents, recognising kinship care, foster care, adoption and other forms of alternative care, supported by stronger oversight and improved standards for child-care services. It further provides support for qualifying young people transitioning from state care.
The Lagos Boy Child Initiative forms part of the wider child-development agenda because protecting the girl child and addressing the developmental needs of the boy child are complementary priorities since every child deserves access to education, healthcare, emotional support, positive role models, mentorship and opportunities to develop his or her potential.
Families remain the first and most important environment for nurturing children. Schools, government institutions, communities, professionals, and civil-society organisations also share responsibility for children's protection and development. Parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers are therefore encouraged to understand the existing Child's Rights Law, the proposed reforms, and the responsibilities that arise from caring for a child.
The proposals will proceed through the appropriate governmental and legislative processes before taking effect. Public awareness, stakeholder participation, and effective implementation will remain essential to translating the legal framework into practical protection for children.
The reform supports the Social Inclusion pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda by strengthening protection for vulnerable children and promoting their wellbeing, dignity, and development. Through the review, LAWRECOM seeks to provide Lagos State with a clearer and more responsive framework for keeping children safe in a changing society.
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