Abia State Achieves Landmark Milestone as Stakeholders Validate Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children

In a historic step towards strengthening child welfare and protection, Nigerian stakeholders in child rights have unanimously endorsed the domestication and validation of the Abia State Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children. The move marks a major breakthrough in safeguarding the rights and dignity of vulnerable children across the state.

The endorsement came during a high-level validation meeting held at the Ministry of Women Affairs headquarters in Umuahia. The Abia State Government convened the event to review and formally adopt the policy document, which establishes standardized procedures for the care and protection of children without parental care.

The meeting drew wide representation from institutions committed to child protection. Among them were the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Children’s Parliament, the traditional institution, and various media organizations.

During the session, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, called for the formal endorsement of the guidelines. The motion to validate the document was moved by Comrade Victor Orji, Director of NOA in Abia State, and seconded by CSP Ngozi Kanu, Officer in Charge of Gender at the Nigeria Police Force, Abia State Command.

Delivering her keynote address, Dr. Aghukwa explained that the guidelines would provide a legal and policy framework to protect children who cannot live with their biological families due to abandonment, abuse, or crises. She stressed that the document aligns with both national legislation and international standards, including the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. 

“The true measure of these guidelines will be seen in the smiles of children who find love, care, and stability in alternative family settings and in the reduction of child neglect, abuse, and exploitation,” she said.

Ambassador Onyinyechi Joy Nwosu, Abia State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network (CPN), presented a summary of the guidelines. She highlighted that the document sets out clear procedures for assessing, placing, and supporting children in alternative care arrangements such as kinship care, foster care, adoption, residential care, and emergency placements. Importantly, the guidelines prioritize family-based and community-driven solutions over institutional care.

She further noted that the validation represents the culmination of years of collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Child Protection Network, and development partners, particularly SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria. 

“This process is not just about producing a document; it is about ensuring that every child in Abia State grows up in a safe, caring, and supportive environment,” she emphasized.

Earlier in the event, Mrs. Goddy-Onulaka Josephine, Director of the Child Department in the Ministry of Women Affairs, welcomed participants and commended their unwavering dedication to building stronger child protection systems in Abia.

With the validation now complete, the newly adopted guidelines are expected to drastically reduce unnecessary institutionalization, reinforce family and community care structures, and establish consistent protocols for child placement and monitoring. By achieving this milestone, Abia State joins the ranks of forward-looking states in Nigeria pioneering child welfare reform and ensuring that no child is left without love, safety, and dignity.