Today marks three years since the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC) began its mission to stand between vulnerable children and the silence of the justice system. Registered on 29 November 2022, CRJJC was born from the vision of the TOKAN Initiative and now stands as the legal services arm of TOKAN Foundation, fearlessly defending children who should never stand alone.
In three years, CRJJC has become a lifeline for children across Lagos, offering legal representation, protection, and a voice in places where they are often unheard. Our work is rooted in a simple belief: every child deserves fairness, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives.
Our Impact at a Glance In 2023, our volunteer lawyers represented 11 children in court, ensuring due process and securing the release of three children while helping others return home on bail to continue their education. With 38 court appearances and over a hundred pro bono hours, our team stood firmly for children whose parents could not afford legal costs.
In 2024 and 2025, we continued this momentum. Our lawyers appeared in court dozens of times, securing releases, and continuing legal representation for others.
CRJJC has also grown into a dependable partner to the Special Correctional Centres for Boys and Girls in Lagos, often being called upon to represent children without any legal support. We are also extending our reach to the Nigerian Correctional Service’s Borstal Institution in Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The borstal institution currently houses 524 boys and youth between the ages of 16 and 21.
Spreading Knowledge, Empowering Young Lives
Beyond the courtroom, CRJJC expanded its Know Your Rights Initiative, touching correctional centres, communities, and schools. Since our first Know Your Rights Initiative in June 2024, we have reached hundreds of children and young people eager to understand their rights as follows:
- Hosted repeated initiatives at five children’s correctional centres in Lagos.
- Hosted the initiative for girl and members of the Mosafejo Community in Oworonshoki, through a partnership with Drug Aid Africa.
- Hosted the initiative for students at St. Timothy College in Yaba.
Lawyers, law students, and volunteers delivered practical education on Child Rights and Child Justice Administration, ensuring that children, even in difficult circumstances, remain informed, protected, and empowered.
Three Years of Purpose
CRJJC is more than a legal arm; it is a shield for children in conflict with the law, a bridge for families who cannot afford legal representation, and a voice reminding society of its duty to protect the young ones among us.
As we celebrate three remarkable years, we honour every volunteer (student, lawyer, individual), partner, and supporter who have strengthened our work. Most importantly, we reaffirm our commitment to every child who walks into a courtroom, correctional centre, or community gathering with fear in their eyes but hope in their hearts.
CRJJC remains steadfast in defending, educating, and restoring children, one case at a time. Here’s to deeper impact, expanded reach, and a justice system where no child is ever left behind.
Support Our Mission
The Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”), registered as the Child Rights and Juvenile Advocacy Center with CAC/IT/No/193337, is the legal services arm of TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People inspired by the TOKAN Initiative.
We provide legal support to children and juveniles in Nigeria. Our wholistic approach to child rights advocacy and juvenile justice helps to ensure that children and juveniles receive needed support in and out of the court room.
How You Can Help
Donations remain crucial to our work and you can support our activities with donations to TOKAN Foundation’s bank account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation.