Mohamed Garba
The European Union has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize the rights and protection of children, emphasizing the need for effective implementation of the Child Rights Act. Speaking at the International Human Rights Day Event, EU Ambassador-designate Gautier Mignot stressed that safeguarding children’s rights is crucial for their well-being and development.
Mignot urged the government to ensure children have access to education, healthcare, and social services, and called for increased funding to address the needs of vulnerable children. He also highlighted the EU’s commitment to preventing and combating gender-based violence, and emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of human rights.
Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed Mignot’s concerns, appealing to state governments to domesticate the Child Rights Act urgently. He lamented the persistence of child labor and systemic failures in safeguarding children’s rights, citing the National Child Labour Survey of 2022, which revealed that 24 million Nigerian children are engaged in child labor.
The EU is committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to protect children’s rights, offering $9.5 million to improve justice for children in Nigeria and other countries.² The Nigerian government has also restated its commitment to protecting children’s rights, with the Minister advocating for continued protection of the girl chil
