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Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has assured Nigerians in the Republic of Chad of his administration’s readiness to facilitate their return home.

He gave the assurance when he visited them in Kaya camp in Chad’s Lac Province to celebrate World Humanitarian Day, which held on Wednesday.

Buni, according to a statement posted yesterday on the Facebook page of his Director of Press, Mamman

Buni, assessed the welfare of the Nigerians displaced by insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

The governor, who travelled to Chad for a meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum which he chairs, said: ‘For those of you willing to return home, you should liaise with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to take the census, while the state governments will facilitate your repatriation to your respective states.’

The governor commended the government and people of Chad for providing for the refugees and enabling peaceful coexistence between them and the host communities.

He urged the refugees to respect the laws of Chad and promptly report any suspicious persons, movements or attempts at infiltration of their camp to the appropriate authorities.

The governor also expressed satisfaction with the refugees’ involvement in farming and fishing, describing the acts as an important step towards self-reliance.

‘Your engagement in fishing and farming makes you more resourceful and less dependent. The Nigerian government will continue to partner with the Chadian government on your welfare,’ he said.

The visit, which underscored Nigeria’s renewed attention to the plight of Nigerian refugees across the border, was described by the refugee community as historic.

The refugees’ leader, Ba- Bulama Usman, said Buni was the first Nigerian government official to visit them at the camp.

Usman thanked the governor for visiting them, describing the gesture as a source of hope and renewed confidence.

‘You are the first Nigerian government official to visit us. This visit has given us a sense of belonging and hope,’ he said.

He expressed appreciation for the assistance provided to the refugees, assuring that members of the community would continue to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.

During his courtesy call on the Governor of Lac Province, Gen. Saleh Tidjani, Buni lauded the Chadian Government for accommodating the displaced Nigerians and for sustaining peaceful relations between them and their host communities.

He said Nigeria and Chad remained committed to strengthening cross-border security, peace and economic cooperation in the Lake Chad Basin.

The governor recalled commitments made at the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, saying the body would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at deepening sustainable peace, security and economic development across the region.

He highlighted plans to open up waterways across the Lake Chad Basin to facilitate transportation, support security operations and improve the movement of goods and services.

‘We are committed to opening the waterways to enhance transportation for security operations and the transportation of goods and services. We will pursue this with vigour to improve the lives of our people,’ he said.

General Tidjani described Buni’s visit as an important demonstration of cross-border collaboration. He said the visit would strengthen peaceful coexistence, security, stability and economic growth of countries in the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria has secured the rights to host the 2027 Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) in Abuja, following endorsement by the association’s General Assembly at its just-concluded 42nd Conference in Arusha, Tanzania.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has been awarded the hosting rights and approved to organise the event, scheduled for 16th to 20th August 2027.

The gathering is expected to draw policymakers, researchers, examination administrators and education experts from across the continent, providing a platform for Nigeria to showcase ongoing reforms in educational assessment.

In a related development, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, was elected Vice-President of the AEAA. His elevation follows his earlier service on the association’s Executive Council as the West African sub-region representative.

These developments underscore Nigeria’s growing influence in educational assessment across the continent, particularly in digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence in testing and certification.

Since taking office as NECO Registrar in 2021, he has driven reforms to modernise examination administration, expand technological infrastructure, and extend the council’s international reach. NECO now conducts examinations in eight foreign countries.

Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (OOPC), in partnership with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), ETIN Power Limited and Gbelebu Community, has commissioned a solar hybrid mini-grid to provide reliable and affordable electricity to households and businesses in Gbelebu, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The facility, comprising 61kWp of solar generation capacity, a 50kW inverter and 154kWh of battery storage, will initially provide electricity to 100 households and micro, small and medium enterprises.

The project is expected to reduce residents’ reliance on diesel and petrol generators, improve household welfare, and support the growth of local businesses.

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, commissioned the mini-grid, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.

The project forms part of OOPC’s ?1.2 billion, three-year partnership with PIND, formalised in 2025 to support peacebuilding, youth employment, agricultural development, access to finance and renewable energy across the company’s host communities.

Funded under OOPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, the project was delivered through an implementation framework agreed by OOPC, PIND, ETIN Power and Gbelebu Community in May 2026.

The framework covers a Power Purchase Agreement, Land Transfer Agreement, and Sustainability and Operations and Maintenance Framework.

OOPC provided the investment and served as the host partner, while PIND facilitated the project from concept development through community engagement, technical planning and implementation oversight. ETIN Power designed and installed the facility and will operate the system.

Speaking at the commissioning, Idahosa commended OOPC, PIND and ETIN Power for the initiative, describing it as an investment in the community’s livelihoods, economic opportunities and quality of life.

OOPC Managing Director, Dr Graham Hefer, said the project demonstrated the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable benefits to its host communities.

‘Investing in energy infrastructure is an investment in the future of neighbouring communities. This project demonstrates how corporate investment, technical expertise, and community ownership can come together to deliver meaningful and sustainable development,’ he said.

PIND’s Programmes Director, Dr Effiong Essien, described the project as an example of how strategic partnerships could improve access to essential infrastructure in underserved communities.

‘Reliable electricity is more than infrastructure; it is an enabler of livelihoods, enterprise growth, and community resilience,’ Essien said.

He, however, stressed the importance of community ownership in ensuring the sustainability of the facility, urging residents to protect the infrastructure and use the electricity productively.

The Chief Executive Officer of ETIN Power Limited, Prof Yinka Omorogbe (SAN), reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing residents and businesses in Gbelebu with reliable and quality electricity.

A Community Power Committee has also been established, while local operators will receive training in customer engagement, system management and routine maintenance.

The commissioning marks the commencement of commercial electricity services in Gbelebu and is expected to provide a model for expanding renewable energy access to other underserved communities neighbouring OOPC’s operations.

PIND and OOPC said they would continue to support stakeholder engagement and monitor the project’s impact on household welfare, business productivity, employment and community resilience.

For a team accustomed to winning, failure can be more instructive than victory.

The Super Falcons arrived at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco searching for redemption after years of near misses, administrative turbulence, and questions about their dominance in African women’s football. Justine Madugu, appointed permanently after taking charge on an interim basis in September 2024, delivered the answer Nigerians wanted.

Nigeria captured a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, recovering from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final. Madugu went from a sceptic’s choice to one of the most celebrated indigenous coaches in Nigerian football history.

A year later, he was gone.

Failure at the 2026 WAFCON, followed by a loss to South Africa in the World Cup qualification playoff, ended Madugu’s tenure. The NFF dismissed the entire technical crew after the Falcons failed to reach the continental semi-finals for the first time, consequently missing out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

That turnaround is startling, but it raises a critical question: What exactly does Nigeria want from its next head coach?

Addressing Nigeria’s structural rot

The temptation after a tournament collapse is to place everything on the manager. Nigeria has done this repeatedly: appoint a coach, watch expectations soar, suffer a setback, fire the staff, and reset the cycle.

However, the Super Falcons face systemic issues that extend far beyond the technical area. Past tenures-notably Randy Waldrum’s-were marred by public disputes over contracts, unpaid wages, and poor preparation schedules. Furthermore, an elite manager cannot succeed in a vacuum. The NFF must provide video analysis, modern sports science, dedicated scouting, and adequate preparation windows.

The next coach must be judged on football, but the federation must be judged on the environment it creates.

Nigeria no longer needs a motivator whose primary pitch is understanding the local ethos. African women’s football has evolved dramatically, as demonstrated in 2026 when Cameroon won the title under Valentine Nguele after knocking out Nigeria, Malawi made a shock run to the final to secure their first-ever World Cup berth, and Algeria achieved a historic third-place finish.

Physical dominance and historical pedigree are no longer enough. The next manager must possess a defined tactical identity-capable of mid-game system changes, structured set-piece routines, and midfield control. Furthermore, team selection must be ruthless: based strictly on current form, physical condition, and tactical fit rather than reputation or origin.

Evaluating the domestic candidates

If the NFF looks within Nigeria’s borders, five distinct profiles emerge.

*Christopher Danjuma boasts deep institutional knowledge from his time with the Falconets and Nasarawa Amazons, whom he led to the 2026 President Federation Cup. However, his previous senior stint ended after a disappointing 2015 World Cup run.

*Moses Aduku is a proven winner who secured the 2026 NWFL Premiership title with Edo Queens and took them to the CAF Women’s Champions League. His current role with the Falconets makes him ideally positioned to bridge the youth-to-senior transition.

*Edwin Okon offers extensive senior-level experience from his Rivers Angels and previous Super Falcons tenures, but the NFF must weigh modern tactical fitness against nostalgia.

*Whyte Ogbonda is available after leaving Bayelsa Queens in July 2026. While skilled at club level, managing a national team with European-based stars presents a starkly different challenge.

*Wemimo Matthew represents the most intriguing development candidate. Highly qualified within CAF coaching programs, her appointment would align with FIFA’s 2026 mandate requiring female representation on technical benches while creating a genuine pathway for female coaches in Nigeria.

The foreign connection

Looking abroad brings another set of complex decisions. Former managers Randy Waldrum and Thomas Dennerby both bring familiarity and previous success. Yet, rehiring Waldrum risks reigniting past administrative feuds, while Dennerby’s methods must be evaluated against how rapidly the modern game has accelerated since 2019.

On the global stage, figureheads like Pia Sundhage, Bev Priestman, Desiree Ellis, Nora Häuptle, and Jorge Vilda represent the elite standard. However, contract statuses and practicalities make most unrealistic, and Nigeria must avoid chasing high-profile names simply for prestige.

The ideal Super Falcons coach must meet several key criteria to succeed. First, they need a defined tactical identity that establishes a structured possession and defensive framework. Second, they must understand African football nuance to navigate the unique logistical and physical demands of the continent.

Third, they need a clear youth integration strategy to phase out aging legends and bring in new talent, combined with total selection independence to pick squads without administrative interference. Finally, the role demands modern analytical skills, strong man-management to unite overseas stars with domestic talent, and a long-term vision built toward the 2028 Olympics and the 2029 WAFCON cycle.

The NFF must abandon behind-the-scenes appointments. Instead, it should form an independent technical panel to interview candidates against a clear blueprint. Applicants should present concrete plans for set-piece design, domestic player integration, defensive structure, and camp scheduling.

The ultimate takeaway from Justine Madugu’s tenure is that a coach can be capable of winning a trophy, yet remain ill-equipped to drive a long-term project. Winning the 2025 WAFCON was a triumph, but the collapse that followed exposed a lack of continuity.

Nigeria does not just need a new manager to win the next match-it needs a technical architect to build the future of the Super Falcons.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has predicted a broader political realignment in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying more politicians will soon join what he described as a ‘larger Rainbow Coalition’ in support of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja during an inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT, Wike said the recent visit of Osun State Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke to President Tinubu pointed to the emerging political configuration ahead of the presidential election.

The minister, who has remained one of the most vocal figures in the political camp supporting President Tinubu despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the development should not be interpreted simply as an opposition alliance or partisan realignment.

According to him, the political landscape ahead of 2027 is changing rapidly, with politicians from different parties increasingly finding common ground around the Tinubu presidency.

Wike said Adeleke’s engagement with Tinubu showed that political actors can belong to different parties and still work together to secure the President’s victory in 2027.

‘What happened last night is a meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition. And he (Adeleke) is supporting Mr President. He’s in a different party; I’m supporting Mr President, and I’m in a different party. So, it’s a larger Rainbow Coalition,’ Wike said.

He predicted the coalition would grow in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch for further political moves ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘And in the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see a larger Rainbow Coalition in this country supporting Mr President,’ he said.

The FCT Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with politicians across party lines positioning themselves for the next electoral battle.

While opposition parties and political groups have continued efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike argued that the opposition was currently too fragmented and weakened by internal crises to constitute a serious threat to Tinubu.

He dismissed the notion of a clearly defined ‘leading opposition’ party, insisting that the political landscape had changed considerably.

‘When you say opposition, I’ve told you I don’t know what you call opposition, as far as there is no opposition now,’ he said.

The minister also took a swipe at members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who, according to him, have claimed credit for Adeleke’s electoral success in Osun State.

Wike said such claims amounted to an attempt to reap political benefits from work they did not undertake.

‘All those ADC who are talking about ‘they helped Adeleke to win,’ they just wanted to go and harvest where they never planted,’ he said.

He maintained that Adeleke remained a member of the PDP despite securing his governorship ticket on the platform of the Accord Party, adding that the governor-elect’s political engagement with Tinubu was part of the wider realignment taking place across the country.

Wike’s remarks are significant coming from a senior PDP figure who has consistently supported Tinubu since the 2023 presidential election, despite the PDP being one of the major political platforms expected to challenge the President in 2027.

The minister has repeatedly justified his support for Tinubu on the grounds of political principles and national interest, while remaining critical of elements within his own party whom he blames for the PDP’s continuing crisis.

On Friday, he again argued that the PDP, which ordinarily should provide the strongest opposition to the ruling party, had been weakened by internal disagreements.

‘Ordinarily, it should have been PDP, but because of the crisis we’ve had, you can’t see a formidable party that you will call the leading opposition party,’ Wike said.

His comments appeared to be a direct response to questions about how opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, would interpret his interaction with Adeleke and the growing support for Tinubu.

Wike said he was not concerned about how political opponents viewed the emerging alliance.

He said, ‘I have told you when you say ‘leading opposition,’ I’ve told you that there’s no opposition.

‘What you have are people who are just trying to see whether they can be relevant’.

The minister further suggested that the political contest ahead of 2027 would be more favourable to Tinubu than some opposition figures might expect, given the fluidity of political alliances and the opposition’s inability to present a united front.

For Wike, the priority is victory, not political accommodation with opponents.

He said politicians should not expect him to make decisions based on whether such actions would be convenient for their political interests.

The minister’s position reinforces his increasingly prominent role in the political coalition backing Tinubu, despite his continued association with the PDP.

Wike was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election cycle, demanding equity and internal reforms within the party.

The dispute eventually deepened divisions within the PDP, with Wike and his allies refusing to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Since Tinubu assumed office, Wike has maintained a working relationship with the Federal Government and has repeatedly expressed support for the President’s administration.

His latest comments suggest he expects more opposition politicians to cross party lines in support of Tinubu as 2027 draws closer.

While opposition groups have been exploring possible alliances, Wike argued that the absence of a dominant opposition platform has created room for the President to consolidate support across party lines.

One of the projects inspected was the N5 Extension in Life Camp, being constructed by Julius Berger.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work and said the road was expected to be completed and handed over in December.

He also inspected the N1 Road project being executed by Arab Contractors.

Wike praised the quality of work on the project and confirmed that it was also scheduled for completion and handover in December.

The minister subsequently inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following intervention by President Tinubu.

He said the rehabilitation had become necessary, particularly because of complaints from members of the diplomatic community over its prolonged closure.

Wike directed that the facility must be reopened before the end of the year.

‘This golf course must be ready and be reopened by December. So we are giving it to Julius Berger to ensure that everything is done. And by December this year, the golf course will be reopened,’ he said.

According to him, Julius Berger was re-engaged for the rehabilitation because the company originally constructed the facility and therefore possessed the necessary technical knowledge of its design and standards.

He said physical work was expected to be completed by November, paving the way for the official reopening of the golf club in December.

Wike explained that the golf club was shut following an internal crisis, which eventually led to the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.

He commended the committee for its role in resolving the crisis and creating the conditions for the facility’s rehabilitation.

The minister, however, warned that the government would not continue to fund the club’s operations after its reopening.

He said the management must develop a sustainable revenue model capable of funding maintenance and other operational expenses.

‘I would believe, this time around, that when this is done, they should be able to raise funds by themselves to run this place. The government should not use public funds to come back to do it,’ he said.

Wike assured that the FCT Administration would continue to facilitate payments to contractors to ensure that the rehabilitation programme remained on schedule.

He stressed that the December reopening deadline for the IBB International Golf Club was sacrosanct.

The Hausa Community in Ondo State has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima remain the best leadership option for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

They made the declaration on Friday in Akure during a mobilisation programme organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), a political support group backed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Speaking at the event, the State Leader of the Hausa Community in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bala Umaru, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s administration’s ongoing reforms in agriculture, security, infrastructure and other sectors.

Umaru said the Hausa community, from the 18 local government areas of Ondo, has endorsed President Tinubu and his Vice President, Shettima, to reposition the country for sustainable development.

He observed that the administration inherited significant economic and social challenges but had demonstrated commitment to addressing them through reforms and interventions targeted at food security, infrastructure, transport, investment, job creation and economic growth.

‘Today is more than a political gathering. It is an opportunity for us to speak with one voice about the Nigeria we want, and the kind of leadership we believe can take us there.

‘The leader is none other than His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our decision as the Hausa community in Ondo State is to support his administration and endorse him alongside our Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, for a second term in office,’ Umaru said.

He also lauded the Federal government’s road construction projects, saying improved road infrastructure was essential to the economic activities of northern Nigerians who transport agricultural produce to different parts of the country.

‘In the history of Nigeria, there is no President who has embarked on massive road construction like the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Good roads play a significant role in the economy of we northerners. They make it easier for us to transport our goods, especially farm produce, to any part of the country,’ he said.

Umaru also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that some of the reforms would require time before their full impact could be felt.

He further cited Tinubu’s contribution to the political emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari as one reason the Hausa community should reciprocate the support.

‘These are not things that can be achieved overnight. They require patience, consistency and cooperation from all Nigerians.’

‘President Tinubu also played a significant role in installing the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is just natural for any northerner to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid,’ he said.

Umaru said the community’s decision was also motivated by its desire for a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.

He applauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, for his leadership, commitment and development initiatives.

The Director-General of GMT, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the Hausa endorsement was part of the group’s wider mobilisation of ethnic communities and non-indigenes across Ondo State for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.

Yusuf-Ogunleye said the group had previously secured endorsements from the Ebira and Igbo communities, adding that the Hausa community had now joined the campaign.

‘Different ethnic groups in Ondo State have been endorsing President Tinubu. We started with the Ebira community. Last week, the Igbo community did their own. Today, the Hausa people from all 18 local government areas are here to endorse the President’s second-term bid,’ he said.

He said the Hausa community had acknowledged what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration and decided to support the President despite the possibility of other aspirants from the northern region contesting the presidency.

‘That is the spirit of sportsmanship. That is the spirit of oneness,’ he said.

Yusuf-Ogunleye added that the Hausa community, which he described as committed and loyal, supported Tinubu in the 2023 election and had resolved to back him again in 2027.

He also commended Tunji-Ojo for providing resources to mobilise residents and non-indigenes across the state in support of the President.

Similarly, a member of the GMT Board of Trustees, Hon. Adekola Olawoye, SAN, described the gathering as a significant mobilisation event and expressed satisfaction with the turnout of Hausa residents from the 18 local government areas.

Olawoye said the group had been engaging different ethnic communities in the state as part of its mobilisation strategy.

‘We have been mobilising non-indigenes in the state, different ethnic groups, to support the President. Our target is one million votes for the President,’ he said.

Grassrunners FC and Abakaliki FC will meet in the final of the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup after both teams won their respective semi-final matches yesterday.

Grassrunners defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1, while Abakaliki FC edged Ikorodu City 2-1 to secure their places in Saturday’s final.

The final will take place at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, at 10am on Saturday.

Grassrunners, making their debut in the competition and yet to taste defeat, will be seeking to crown their impressive campaign with the trophy. They will, however, face an Abakaliki FC side that has also shown its strength throughout the tournament.

Sunshine Stars took an early lead in the first semi-final when Onoja Mathew scored in the 15th minute.

Grassrunners responded in the second half, with Agbejoye Papi equalising in the 58th minute from a difficult angle.

Papi struck again in the 86th minute to put Grassrunners ahead before Adeola Fadel added a third goal in the 89th minute to complete the comeback.

The second semi-final also produced an entertaining contest.

Ikorodu City took the lead in the 11th minute through Ayanda Tolulope. Abakaliki FC, however, responded through Moses Amanekwu, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

Amarachukwu Uche then put Abakaliki FC ahead in the 48th minute with a fine finish from a corner to secure the 2-1 victory.

The two teams will now meet in a winner-takes-all final for the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer in the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election.

He made his position known yesterday when he visited Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti.

Oluyede informed the governor of his decision to work for Tinubu’s victory in the January 2027 presidential election.

He also discussed with Governor Oyebanji issues relating to the development and progress of Ekiti State, as the governor prepares to begin his second term on October 16.

Receiving Oluyede, Governor Oyebanji praised him for an act of statesmanship and his commitment to the progress of Ekiti State and national development.

Oyebanji expressed appreciation for Oluyede’s decision to support President Tinubu, saying his gesture demonstrated a shared commitment to the development of Ekiti and Nigeria.

Child rights experts and social workers have called for stronger action to curb the exploitation and abuse of children engaged in domestic work.

They warned that emerging forms of abuse require better-equipped protection systems and frontline responders.

The call was made on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop organised by the CeCe Yara Child Advocacy Centre for frontline child protection professionals in Lagos.

The workshop, held at the LCCI Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, focused on practical child welfare strategies, professional development and measures to improve the response to cases of child abuse and exploitation.

A gender justice and child protection expert, Mrs Alexis Sanya-Kawa, said continuous learning, mentorship and regular evaluation were essential for professionals working to protect children. Mrs Sanya-Kawa urged child rights practitioners to invest in their personal and professional development, noting that improved capacity would translate into better outcomes for vulnerable children.

She described Lagos State as proactive in its response to child abuse and other forms of violence, urging other states to replicate systems that have strengthened child protection efforts in the state.

‘Lagos State is very proactive in responding to issues of child abuse and other forms of violence against persons. I would like other state governments to replicate the systems that are in place within Lagos State,’ she said.

According to her, the establishment of special courts, forensic laboratories and other mechanisms had strengthened the state’s response to abuse, but more attention was needed to ensure effective implementation.

‘We have the special courts, we have the forensic lab, we have things that ensure that abuse is curbed. But what we need to do is ensure that we strengthen implementation,’ she added.

The founder of CeCe Yara, Mrs Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, said child abuse through exploitative domestic work was assuming new dimensions, requiring stronger interventions from government, communities and child protection professionals.

Ajayi-Kayode also warned that frontline workers handling abuse cases were vulnerable to burnout and vicarious trauma if they were not adequately equipped and supported.

‘We have child helpline counsellors, lawyers and case workers. If they are not well equipped and not well taken care of, they will burn out,’ she said.

She called on community members and victims to speak out against the abuse and exploitation of children, stressing the importance of early reporting and intervention.

Also a counsellor and mental health psychologist, Ms Gloria Joaquim, emphasised the importance of mental wellbeing among child protection professionals.

Joaquim led participants through sessions on wellness therapy and body movement healing, urging activists and social workers to prioritise self-care as part of effective professional practice.

‘Your mental wellbeing is very important. Respond with intentionality,’ she said.

She noted that effective stress management could improve decision-making among professionals who routinely deal with traumatic cases involving children.

Participants, including the Chief State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs Azeezat Ajaga, pledged renewed commitment to strengthening the protection of vulnerable children.

The workshop was sponsored by The Freedom Fund with support from the United States Government and was designed to strengthen the capacity of child protection professionals to prevent abuse, respond to exploitation and support survivors.