DEVATOP Hosts Second Community Influencers Review Meeting for 2026
On Wednesday, 23rd July 2026, DEVATOP Center for Africa Development hosted the second Community Influencers Review Meeting of the year.
The meeting brought together 26 Community Influencers from Adosoba, Okoko, Ijegun, and Isashi communities in Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo LGAs, where the Program to Address Exploitative Child Domestic Work in Lagos is being implemented.
The meeting provided a platform to review the efforts of Community Influencers in creating awareness and sensitization on the rights of Child Domestic Workers, and in ensuring that CDWs are protected and supported to thrive in a safe and enabling environment.
To strengthen knowledge on basic safeguarding principles, DEVATOP engaged the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency [DSVA]. Represented by Mr. Smart, DSVA spoke extensively on safeguarding, community reporting best practices, roles and responsibilities in responding to concerns, safe documentation, and actions to avoid.
CeCe Yara Child Advocacy Center, an implementation partner represented by *Mr. Ajifowoke, emphasized the role of Community Influencers in case reporting. This included identifying children at risk of abuse, identifying children experiencing abuse, gathering factual information, prioritizing the safety of the child, avoiding investigation of cases, and using appropriate reporting channels.
The DEVATOP team showcased the contributions of Community Influencers. To date, influencers have reached over 576 community members through their platforms, leading to increased sensitization and mobilization against the maltreatment of CDWs in their communities.
In a group discussion, influencers also reviewed their experiences, sharing lessons learned, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future activities. This session shaped the next steps for community engagement.
To expand project reach, influencers mapped out unreached areas in their communities, identified priority categories of people to engage, and proposed activities to be carried out in those locations.
In closing, DEVATOP commended the commitment of Community Influencers and emphasized key qualities for effective influence: empathy, commitment, interest in others, and perseverance in driving awareness.
The meeting was impactful. It allowed for review of efforts, commendation of work done, and capacity building for more effective action toward protecting children.
This project is supported by The Freedom with funding from the U.S. Department of State.
