Safeguarding children is far more than protecting them from harm. It is about ensuring that every institution they encounter—from the police station to the courtroom, from correctional centres to social welfare agencies—recognises their rights, respects their dignity and acts in their best interests.

A child who comes into contact with the law should never lose the protections that childhood affords. Yet, too often, children are detained when alternatives exist, denied timely legal representation, or left waiting for months—even years—for their cases to progress.

A child justice system can only fulfil its purpose when every stakeholder understands that children are not simply “smaller adults". They require a system designed around rehabilitation, protection and accountability, not punishment alone.

The Child's Rights Act (and the Child's Rights Laws enacted across the states) require that alternatives to detention be considered whenever appropriate. Depriving a child of liberty should never be the starting point—it should always be the measure of last resort.

At the Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC), we are committed not only to providing essential legal support to children, but also to strengthening public understanding of children's rights and promoting a child justice system that truly safeguards every child.

Please support our awareness campaign by following our page, engaging with our content and sharing it within your network.

You can also support our work by donating to:

Zenith Bank Plc Account Name: TOKAN Foundation Account Number: 1015972986

or via Paystack: https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation

If a child requires legal assistance, please contact us at crjjc@tokanfoundation.com or send us a direct message on social media.

Together, we can build a justice system where every child is protected, every right is respected, and no child is left behind.