The Lagos State Government has launched the 2026 Safeguarding and Child Protection Week, a five-day programme aimed at protecting children from abuse and creating safe channels for them to report concerns. The initiative, themed “My Silence Ends Here,” began on September 21, 2026, and will run through September 25. It is being implemented across the state’s six education districts.
The programme is expected to engage more than 1,500 children on child safeguarding, protection, and awareness, while encouraging them to speak up against abuse. The Lagos State Government hopes to create an environment where children can speak about abuse without fear. The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stressed the need for adults and institutions to take responsibility for listening to children and responding appropriately to concerns raised.
The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, reaffirmed the importance of providing safe and supportive learning environments for children. He noted that schools have a critical role to play in safeguarding children and urged education stakeholders to remain vigilant and responsive to concerns relating to child abuse and protection.
Dr. Shittu commended the initiative for placing child safeguarding at the centre of discussions and called for sustained collaboration among schools, families, communities, and relevant institutions to protect children. The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described child protection as a collective responsibility involving government, schools, parents, communities, and other stakeholders.
Mrs. Salu-Hundeyin encouraged children to speak up whenever they feel unsafe, assuring them that their voices matter and that they should not suffer abuse in silence. Other dignitaries, including the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Mr. Sanni Layemo, and the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Mr. Olusesan Ogunyooye, delivered goodwill messages at the opening ceremony.
The programme forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence and protect vulnerable persons. The initiative aims to raise awareness about child protection and provide a platform for children to report concerns about abuse.
The Lagos State Government’s efforts to protect children have been commended by stakeholders, who have called for sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the programme. The government has reiterated its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for children to grow and develop.
Key points
- The Lagos State Government aims to engage 1,500 children on child safeguarding and protection awareness during the five-day programme.
- The programme is part of the government’s broader efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence and protect vulnerable persons.
- Stakeholders have called for sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the programme and protect children from abuse.
