Abstract:
Adequate protection of children is critical to the future of any society especially in the developing
economies like Nigeria, where protection culture is hindered by myriads of problems. To enhance child
security, UNICEF organised child-focused non-governmental organisations, security and other
government agencies into various groups called Child Protection Network (CPN) in 2011. While
improved health and education issues have received scholarly attention, physical security of children
and the roles expected of the organisation are not sufficiently documented in the literature. The study
therefore examined emergence of CPN child protection issues, response skills for children, CPN
alternative strategies and challenges facing the network in Oyo State.
The Jane Piaget’s Child Development and Max Weber’s Complexity Theories, the Case Study design
were employed. The Primary and secondary data were used. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted
with selected CPN members working in orphanages, schools, empowerment agencies, street children,
child rights organisations, child labour organisations, human trafficking organisations, vulnerable
children and narcotics areas. Fifteen Key Informant Interviews were conducted with heads of security
agencies and Criminal Justice administration including Nigerian Police Force (4), Nigerian Army (1),
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (2), Nigerian Immigration Service (2), Nigerian Correctional
Service (2), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (1), Federal Road Safety Corps (1), Chief Judge
and Chief Magistrate of the Juvenile court (2). Four FGDs were conducted: three with 12 secondary
school children in the most populous school in each senatorial district (Ibadan, Iseyin and Ogbomoso)
and one was conducted with other CPN members. Six CPN’s monthly meetings, three school training
programmes, one rally and 10 juvenile court sessions were observed. Data collected were content analysed.
Despite the existing Child Rights laws in Oyo State, children still need protection against rape,
defilement, child trafficking, incidence of street children, kidnapping, child labour, drug trafficking and
out of school syndrome. Prospects in empowering children to play vital roles in their own security by
acquiring trainings in child protection, child rights knowledge, self-defense, negotiation skills and
security consciousness were indicated. The CPN alternative strategies included: child placement, direct
interventions in bills payment, counseling, monitoring, organising protests, rallies, media campaigns,
teaching parenting skills to the public and conducting school based self-protection training programmes
towards comprehensive child security. In spite of their efforts, the CPN still encountered challenges of
inadequate funding, regular conflict with the police, lack of formal training among child protectors,
lack of borstals, and family courts, second degree abandonment, low level of public awareness,
members lukewarm attitudes and community interference in criminal proceedings.
The Child Protection Network initiative is impactful, but faces significant hindrances. Its potentials can
be better explored with adequate funding, collaborating with security agencies, establishment of
borstals and more family courts.
