DEVATOP Engages Ojo Local Government on Proposed Child Protection By-law
Ojo, Lagos State | August 18, 2026
DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development has engaged key officials of Ojo Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos State, on the proposed development of a Child Protection By-law aimed at strengthening child protection mechanisms and addressing the specific realities faced by children within the LGA.
The advocacy meeting, held at the Ojo LGA Secretariat on August 18, brought together the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG), Legal Officer, Head of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), and the Chief of Staff. The meeting provided an opportunity for DEVATOP to present the rationale behind the proposed by-law and seek the Local Government’s input into its development. The DEVATOP team, introduced by Community Liaison Assistant (CLA), Abba Victor Edache, gave an overview of the organisation’s work and its commitment to advancing human rights and addressing issues including child labour, irregular migration, gender-based violence, climate action, and youth technology and innovation.
The team also shared field experiences relating to the exploitation, maltreatment and abuse of children within the Local Government. Among the cases presented was that of a 10-year-old boy who was fending for himself and his grandmother and had never attended school. Another case involved a young girl who was raped after being exposed to the risks associated with hawking. These cases highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by children and the need for stronger child protection measures within the LGA.
During the engagement, DEVATOP highlighted several gaps that can allow harmful practices against children to continue. These included limited awareness of children’s rights and available protections, the absence of safe and anonymous reporting channels, limited willingness to report perpetrators, inadequate protection for victims, witnesses and reporters, as well as gaps in coordination and referral mechanisms. While acknowledging the protections already provided under the Child Rights Act and the applicable Lagos State Child Rights Law, DEVATOP explained that the proposed by-law seeks to strengthen the implementation of these protections at the local level and provide a framework that responds to the realities and needs of communities in Ojo LGA.
To support the Local Government’s consideration of the proposal, DEVATOP presented guiding questions covering existing child protection structures, key concerns affecting children, gaps in current responses, institutional responsibilities, legal considerations, implementation, and the appropriate process for engaging the Legislative Council. The Local Government representatives indicated that they would consider the questions alongside the provisions of the draft by-law as part of their in-house review. DEVATOP formally presented the draft by-law to the Legal Officer on behalf of the Local Government and proceeded to walk the representatives through its provisions. Although the meeting could not accommodate a detailed, item-by-item review because the SLG and Legal Officer had other scheduled engagements, the Legal Officer provided guidance on the proposed review and approval process.
According to the Legal Officer, the draft should first be submitted through the Chief of Staff for onward consideration by the Chairman of the Local Government. The document would then be circulated to relevant officials for review, after which the Chairman would designate a focal person to liaise with DEVATOP throughout the process. The Legal Officer further noted that the draft would need to undergo consultations and deliberations between DEVATOP and the relevant Local Government officials before being refined into a mutually agreed document. He also indicated that the Local Government would be willing to publicly endorse the final document, provided the Chairman and relevant authorities were adequately carried along throughout the process. He acknowledged that formally amending the Local Government’s legal framework to accommodate the proposed by-law could be a lengthy process but emphasised that beginning the process would be an important step towards strengthening child protection within Ojo LGA.
The meeting concluded with agreement on the need for further engagement and review of the proposed by-law. The immediate next steps include submitting the draft through the Chief of Staff for consideration by the Chairman and relevant officials, allowing the Local Government to conduct its in-house review, identifying a focal person for continued engagement, and clarifying the appropriate process for engaging the Legislative Council.
