By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
The Borno State Child Protection Implementation Committee has reconvened for its first full coordination meeting in nearly three years, marking a renewed commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of children across the state.
The meeting, held on January fourteenth, twenty twenty six, (14/01!2026) at the Amada International Hotel in Maiduguri, was supported by the European Union and brought together key implementing partners including SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, CSSCIL, ZEGCAWIS and JDF.
Speaking at the meeting, Senior Finance and Admin Officer of Service at CISLAC, Mohamed Mirtala who has represented Executive Director CISLAC Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the gathering was organised to help the committee reposition itself for effective implementation of the Borno State Child Protection Law enacted in two thousand and one (2001).
He explained that the law was designed to address the vulnerabilities of children, particularly in the areas of education, health care and social services, where many children continue to face serious access challenges.
Murtala noted that the committee, which comprises government and non government stakeholders, had not met since around two thousand and twenty three (2023) due to funding constraints, a situation he said weakened coordination and collective action.
He said the current meeting provides an opportunity for members to physically reconnect, review progress, share experiences and harmonise strategies for better enforcement of the law across ministries, departments and agencies.
According to him, the committee draws membership from institutions such as the National Orientation Agency, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Justice, NAPTIP, the Nigerian Correctional Service and other relevant bodies.
He stressed that each member organisation has a statutory responsibility in ensuring that the child protection law is not only implemented but also translated into real benefits for vulnerable children.
Murtala also stated that the European Union support has enabled the consortium to provide both technical and financial backing to revive the committee’s activities and strengthen its coordination framework.
According that the partnership will also ensure regular meetings, structured reporting, experience sharing and the development of a clear work plan and strategy for two thousand and twenty six.
Participants at the meeting, including representatives of youth and child advocates, were expected to present updates from their respective institutions and contribute to the formulation of a unified implementation roadmap.
Observers say the reconvening of the committee signals a critical step toward restoring institutional momentum in child protection governance in Borno State, at a time when the welfare of children remains central to post conflict recovery efforts.
Committee member Bawagana Kyari said the meeting provided an opportunity to assess how far the 2022 Child Protection Law has been implemented, identify areas where progress is lagging, and find ways to support children’s welfare.
She noted that the committee was recently inaugurated by the state ministry to supervise the law’s enforcement.
Alhaji Ababukari, a traditional ruler and committee member, explained that protecting children has long been part of Borno’s cultural and religious values.
He emphasized that the law will help address the challenges facing out-of-school and street children, many of whom are affected by the insurgency.
The traditional ruler reassured that local leaders and communities remain committed to supporting government efforts to ensure children’s welfare and school enrollment.
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