By Adeola Shittu
As concerns over child labour, insecurity, school kidnappings and violations of children's rights continue to grow across Nigeria, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, has intensified its advocacy for child protection through a strategic capacity-building workshop designed to strengthen ethical reporting on child-related issues.
The association also used the platform to call on governments at all levels to prioritize the safety of schools and communities, insisting that no meaningful national development can take place when children remain vulnerable to violence, exploitation and educational disruption.
The call formed a major highlight of the NAWOJ Lagos Congress and Training Workshop held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyalla, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, in commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour.
The event brought together women journalists, media professionals, child rights advocates and stakeholders committed to improving the welfare of children and strengthening ethical journalism practices in Nigeria.
Why Ethical Child Reporting Matters More Than Ever
In today's digital media landscape, where information spreads rapidly across multiple platforms, journalists increasingly face the challenge of balancing public interest with the need to protect vulnerable children.
Experts believe that poor reporting practices can expose children to stigma, trauma, discrimination and even physical danger, especially in cases involving abuse, trafficking, violence, family disputes and criminal investigations.
Recognizing this reality, NAWOJ Lagos organized the training workshop to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills required to report child-related stories professionally while safeguarding children's rights and dignity.
The workshop, themed "Ethical Reporting of Children: Issues and Matters Arising on the Child Rights Act, 2003," was facilitated by Dr. Jide Johnson, Director of Special Programmes at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).
Nigeria's Child Welfare Crisis: The Numbers Behind the Concern
During his presentation, Dr. Johnson highlighted alarming statistics that underscore the urgent need for stronger child protection systems in Nigeria.
According to data presented at the workshop, Nigeria is home to an estimated 105 million children, making it one of the largest child populations in the world.
However, millions of these children continue to face serious socio-economic challenges.
The data revealed that nearly one out of every two Nigerian children lives in income poverty, while approximately 4.5 million children require humanitarian assistance due to various crises affecting communities across the country.
Education remains another major challenge.
An estimated 10.2 million children of primary school age and 8.1 million children of secondary school age are currently out of school, a situation that experts warn could have far-reaching consequences for national development.
The workshop also examined findings from the Nigeria Child Labour Survey 2022, which revealed that 39.2 percent of Nigerian children are involved in child labour.
More concerning is the fact that 22.9 percent—representing over 14 million children—are engaged in hazardous work that threatens their physical health, safety and future prospects.
These figures, participants noted, highlight the need for sustained advocacy, stronger policy implementation and increased public awareness on child rights issues.
NAWOJ Calls for Safer Schools and Communities
Beyond media ethics, the congress session focused on broader national concerns affecting children.
Members expressed concern over continuing insecurity in parts of the country, particularly incidents involving attacks on schools, abductions and violence against children.
The association urged federal, state and local governments to strengthen security measures around educational institutions and vulnerable communities.
According to participants, schools should remain safe spaces dedicated to learning, growth and development rather than becoming targets of criminal activities.
NAWOJ emphasized that protecting children from violence and ensuring uninterrupted access to education must remain a national priority.
The association stressed that every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a secure environment free from fear and intimidation.
Understanding the Child Rights Act, 2003
A major aspect of the workshop focused on deepening participants' understanding of the Child Rights Act (CRA), one of Nigeria's most important legal frameworks for child protection.
Dr. Johnson traced the history of child rights advocacy from the 1924 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child through various international conventions and Nigeria's eventual adoption of the Child Rights Act in 2003.
The law provides comprehensive protection for children and establishes clear obligations for governments, institutions, parents and communities.
The workshop highlighted four major categories of rights protected under the Act.
These include the right to life, healthcare, proper nutrition and access to clean water.
These guarantee access to education, information, recreation, cultural activities and opportunities that support children's physical, emotional and intellectual growth.
These protect children from abuse, exploitation, trafficking, child labour, neglect and violence.
These ensure that children can express their views and participate in decisions affecting their lives in accordance with their age and maturity.
The Media's Responsibility in Child Protection
One of the strongest messages from the workshop was that journalists have a critical role to play in protecting children's rights.
Dr. Johnson stressed that child-focused reporting should be treated as a specialized field requiring sensitivity, professionalism and strict ethical standards.
According to him, the best interest of the child must always guide editorial decisions.
He advised journalists to avoid revealing children's identities in sensitive cases, publishing information that could expose them to danger or using images and content capable of causing further emotional harm.
He also encouraged media professionals to focus on solutions-oriented journalism that highlights systemic issues while protecting vulnerable individuals.
The session generated extensive discussions among participants, many of whom shared experiences from the field and explored practical approaches to addressing ethical dilemmas in child reporting.
Supporting Women in Leadership
The congress also celebrated progress in women's political participation.
NAWOJ Lagos congratulated Mrs. Damilola Sonayon on her emergence as Deputy Governor-designate for the Lagos State APC governorship candidate and extended goodwill messages to female aspirants contesting various political positions.
The association reiterated its commitment to supporting women seeking leadership roles and promoting greater gender inclusion in governance and decision-making.
Building a Better Future for Nigerian Children
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment by NAWOJ Lagos to continue advocating for children's rights, ethical journalism and community development.
Participants agreed that child protection requires collective action involving governments, media organizations, civil society groups, families and community leaders.
As Nigeria continues to confront challenges related to child labour, poverty, insecurity and educational exclusion, experts believe responsible journalism can play a powerful role in raising awareness, influencing policy and driving positive change.
For NAWOJ Lagos, the message remains clear: protecting children is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility that must be embraced by every segment of society.
By promoting ethical reporting standards and advocating for safer schools and stronger child protection systems, the association hopes to contribute to a future where every Nigerian child can learn, grow and thrive in safety and dignity.