LAGOS CHARGES ORPHANAGE OPERATORS ON COMPLIANCE WITH OPERATIONAL STANDARDS TO STRENGTHEN CHILD PROTECTION
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of vulnerable children, urging founders and operators of orphanage homes across the state to strictly adhere to approved operational standards and regulatory requirements.
The charge was given at a stakeholders’ meeting with founders and operators of orphanage homes organised by the Creches and Orphanages Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall, Alausa.
The meeting, themed “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanage Homes,” brought together operators to strengthen collaboration and promote best practices in residential child care.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, described orphanage homes as critical partners in the State’s child protection system, noting that beyond providing shelter, they are expected to provide safe, nurturing environments where children receive quality education, healthcare, psychosocial support and opportunities to realise their full potential.
He stressed that compassion must always be complemented by professionalism, accountability, and strict adherence to established laws and operational standards.
Ogunlende noted that the State Government has established clear operational standards to guarantee children’s safety, protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation, proper documentation and case management, while ensuring care is delivered with dignity, transparency and accountability.
He also assured operators of continued government support through policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity-building programmes, alongside strengthened monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with child welfare laws.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu commended orphanage operators for complementing the government’s child protection efforts but emphasised that compassion alone is insufficient to guarantee quality residential child care.
She reiterated that regulatory compliance is mandatory and listed minimum operational requirements to include proper registration and licensing, child-friendly facilities, qualified and screened caregivers, sound financial accountability, comprehensive record management, and functional child safeguarding policies.
As part of the engagement, participants received expert presentations on legal compliance and child protection.
Presenting a paper on “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanages, the Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Kemi Olugbode highlighted the legal framework governing orphanage operations in Lagos State under the Child’s Rights Law.
She explained that the overriding principle of the law is the best interest of the child and emphasised that every orphanage must be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and licensed by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development before commencing operations.
Olugbode further explained that children requiring institutional care must be placed in approved homes through due legal processes and court orders where applicable. She stressed 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 prescribed by the Ministry.
She recommended mandatory staff background checks, regular training, and clearly defined qualifications for personnel to enhance the quality of care provided in orphanage homes.
Also speaking, Mr. Akeushola Olatunji of the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development delivered a presentation on “Preventing Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Children in Orphanage Homes.” He reminded participants that every child has the right to safety, care and protection, noting that children living in orphanages are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation if adequate safeguards are not in place.
He identified physical, emotional, sexual and verbal abuse, neglect and child exploitation as major threats to children’s wellbeing and urged operators to adopt preventive measures such as recruiting qualified personnel, conducting background checks, training staff on child protection, enforcing safeguarding policies, supervising staff-child interactions and encouraging positive discipline.
He also advocated adequate nutrition, healthcare, education, emotional support, secure living conditions and effective reporting mechanisms, while emphasising that protecting children from abuse and exploitation is a collective responsibility requiring vigilance, teamwork and unwavering commitment.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Lagos State Chapter, Alhaji Ganiu Olaiwola, commended the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for organising the stakeholders’ engagement, describing it as a timely initiative that continues to equip operators with the requisite knowledge and information needed to manage orphanage homes in line with established standards.
He disclosed that the Association has constituted a task force across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos State to monitor the activities of orphanage homes and ensure compliance with the Child’s Rights Law and other regulatory requirements.
According to him, 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.
The stakeholders’ meeting concluded with renewed commitments by both the Government and Operators to strengthen collaboration, uphold the highest standards of child care and ensure that every vulnerable child in Lagos State grows up in a safe, secure and nurturing environment where their rights and dignity are fully protected.
