Lagos warns orphanage homes against violating child care regulations

The Lagos State Government has warned operators of orphanage homes to strictly comply with regulations guiding child care services, saying failure to meet approved operational standards could jeopardise efforts to protect vulnerable children across the state.

The warning was issued during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Crèches and Orphanages Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall in Alausa.

The meeting, themed “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanage Homes,”brought together government officials, orphanage operators and child welfare experts to discuss ways of strengthening child protection and improving standards in residential care facilities.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described orphanage homes as key partners in the state’s child protection system but stressed that operators must go beyond providing shelter to ensuring children are raised in safe, nurturing and supportive environments.

He said orphanages are expected to provide quality education, healthcare, psychosocial support and other essential services that enable children to reach their full potential.

“Compassion must always be complemented by professionalism, accountability and strict adherence to established laws and operational standards,” Ogunlende said.

According to the commissioner, the state has put in place operational guidelines to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation while ensuring proper documentation, effective case management and transparent service delivery.

He assured operators of continued government support through policy guidance, technical assistance and capacity-building programmes, while reaffirming the state’s commitment to stronger monitoring and enforcement of child welfare laws.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, also urged orphanage operators to meet all minimum operational requirements, including proper registration and licensing, qualified and screened caregivers, child-friendly facilities, sound financial accountability, comprehensive record-keeping and effective child safeguarding policies.

Delivering a presentation on regulatory compliance, the ministry’s Director of Legal Services, Kemi Olugbode, said orphanage operations in Lagos are governed by the Child’s Rights Law, which places the best interests of every child above every other consideration.

She explained that all orphanage homes must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and licensed by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development before commencing operations.

Olugbode added that children requiring institutional care should only be admitted through approved legal procedures, including court orders where necessary.

She also emphasised the importance of proper record-keeping, qualified personnel, child protection policies, adequate nutrition, education, healthcare, counselling and regular inspections.

An official of the ministry’s Child Protection Unit, Akeushola Olatunji, warned that children living in orphanage homes remain vulnerable to physical, emotional, sexual and verbal abuse if adequate safeguards are not enforced.

He urged operators to recruit qualified personnel, conduct background checks, train staff on child protection, enforce safeguarding policies, closely supervise staff-child interactions and adopt positive disciplinary measures.

Olatunji also called for improved nutrition, healthcare, education, emotional support and safe living conditions, stressing that protecting children requires collective responsibility and constant vigilance.

Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria, Ganiu Olaiwola, commended the ministry for organising the engagement, describing it as an important step toward improving professional standards within the sector.

He disclosed that the association had established monitoring task forces across the state’s five IBILE divisions to ensure orphanage homes comply with the Child’s Rights Law and other regulatory requirements.

According to him, any orphanage found violating approved operational guidelines or relevant laws would face appropriate sanctions, including possible closure.