The Lagos State Government has urged orphanage in the metropolis to strictly comply with operational standards and regulatory requirements, saying adherence to the rules is essential to protecting vulnerable children from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The charge was made during 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 at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall, Alausa.
The meeting, themed “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanage Homes,” brought together operators and child welfare stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and promote best practices in residential child care across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, described orphanage homes as indispensable partners in Lagos State’s child protection system, noting that their responsibilities extend beyond providing shelter to ensuring children receive quality education, healthcare, psychosocial support and opportunities to thrive.
He stressed that compassion must be matched with professionalism, accountability and full compliance with established laws guiding child care institutions.
“Orphanage homes play a critical role in our child protection system. Beyond providing shelter, they must provide safe and nurturing environments where children can access quality education, healthcare, psychosocial support and opportunities to realise their full potential,” Ogunlende said.
The commissioner explained that the state had established clear operational standards to guarantee children’s safety, protect them from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and ensure proper documentation, case management and transparent service delivery.
He assured operators of the government’s continued support through policy guidance, technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, while emphasizing that monitoring and enforcement would be strengthened to ensure compliance with child welfare laws.
“Compassion must always be complemented by professionalism, accountability and strict adherence to established operational standards. Government will continue to support operators, but we will also strengthen monitoring and enforcement to ensure every child receives the protection and care they deserve,” he added.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, commended operators for complementing government’s efforts in caring for vulnerable children but maintained that good intentions alone could not guarantee quality residential child care.
She said compliance with regulatory requirements remained mandatory, highlighting proper registration and licensing, child-friendly facilities, qualified and screened caregivers, sound financial accountability, comprehensive record management and effective child safeguarding policies as minimum standards every orphanage must meet.
“Compassion alone is insufficient to guarantee quality residential child care. Regulatory compliance is mandatory because every child deserves to grow up in a safe, secure and well-managed environment,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
Participants at the meeting also received expert presentations on legal compliance and child protection.
Director of Legal Services in the Ministry, Mrs. Kemi Olugbode, explained that orphanage homes must be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and licensed by the Ministry before commencing operations in Lagos State.
She noted that institutional care must always be guided by the provisions of the Child’s Rights Law, stressing that the overriding principle of the legislation is the best interest of the child.
Olugbode further emphasised the need for proper documentation, qualified personnel, child safeguarding policies, adequate nutrition, education, healthcare, counselling services and regular inspections to maintain acceptable standards of care.
Also speaking, Mr. Akeushola Olatunji of the Ministry’s Child Protection Unit identified physical, emotional, sexual and verbal abuse, neglect and child exploitation as major threats facing children in institutional care.
He urged operators to strengthen preventive measures through careful recruitment, staff background checks, regular child protection training, effective safeguarding policies, close supervision of staff-child interactions and positive discipline.
According to him, protecting vulnerable children requires collective responsibility, vigilance and unwavering commitment from caregivers, regulators and the wider society.
Meanwhile, 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 engagement, describing it as a timely initiative that equips operators with the knowledge required to comply with existing regulations.
He disclosed that the association had established monitoring task forces across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos to ensure compliance with the Child’s Rights Law and other operational guidelines.
“Any orphanage found operating in violation of the law or approved operational guidelines will be appropriately sanctioned, including closure where necessary, because the welfare and best interests of the child must always come first,” Olaiwola said.
The stakeholders’ meeting ended with renewed commitments by the Lagos State Government and orphanage operators to deepen collaboration, uphold the highest standards of residential child care and ensure every vulnerable child in the state grows up in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
