The boys had spent their 2024 long vacation learning skills from a neighbourhood artisan. During this time, the artisan occasionally instructed them to collect and deliver metal parts to buyers. Unknown to the children, some of these items were stolen. As a result, they were arrested in July 2024. CRJJC was immediately contacted to represent them in court.

CRJJC stepped in to represent them, securing their bail so they could remain with their families throughout the proceedings. Our legal team tirelessly argued that the children had merely followed an adult’s instructions and should not be scapegoated while the actual perpetrator remained unprosecuted.

After seven months of advocacy, the complainant finally agreed to drop the charges in 17 February 2025, following a ₦200,000 settlement facilitated by a generous donor. It was also agreed that the adult responsible would face prosecution.

The case against the two children was therefore successfully dismissed on 17 February 2025. Another victory for justice-involved children.

The post CASE DISMISSED: CRJJC SECURES JUSTICE FOR TWO TEENAGE BOYS AFTER 7 MONTHS appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

This IWD 2025, let’s go beyond celebration—let’s ACT for the next generation. Change won’t wait, and neither should we. Together, we can make a difference.

The post Accelerating Action for Girls’ Rights, Education & Justice! appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

From the Courtrooms: An Unfair Allegation and a Happy Resolution

In January, CRJJC volunteer lawyers represented five children in court for various offences.

Two of the children had spent their 2024 long vacation learning skills from a neighbourhood artisan. During this time, the artisan occasionally instructed them to collect and deliver metal parts to buyers. Unknown to the children, some of these items were stolen. As a result, they were arrested and placed at the Special Correctional Centre for Boys in Oregun. CRJJC was contacted in July 2024 to represent them in court.

Upon taking up their case, we secured their release on bail and ensured they remained with their families throughout the proceedings. Despite our efforts to reach an out-of-court settlement, the complainant was initially unwilling to settle. In court, our legal team argued that the children had acted under the instruction of an adult and our legal team highlighted the unfairness of scapegoating two innocent children while the complainant and prosecution neglected to prosecute the adult who had given them stolen items.

On 17 February 2025, after eight months of dedicated legal representation, the complainant eventually agreed to drop the charges after a generous donor facilitated a ₦200,000 payment to the complainant. It was also agreed that the prosecution would present the adult involved in court.

The case against the two children was therefore successfully struck out.

To the Classrooms: Educational Support

In January 2025, our student beneficiaries returned to school for the 2^nd Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year. As part of our back-to-school drive, we purchased and delivered school bags, school shoes and sandals, stationary, and other supplies to students in Children’s Centers across Lagos.

Payment of academic tuition for all students are ongoing, and we appreciate your continued support in ensuring that no child is left behind.

To the Communities: Know Your Rights Initiative 

On Saturday, 18 January 2025, CRJJC hosted its Know Your Rights Initiative at the Mosafejo community of Oworonshoki, Lagos in partnership with Drug Aid Africa.

The Initiative educated participants on Child Rights, Child Justice Administration, and what these rights mean to them. A core goal was empowering children to advocate for themselves and their peers against rights violations. The event also increased awareness of CRJJC’s mission and services, encouraging children to seek legal support when necessary.

The event included interactive discussions and giveaways, fun icebreakers, and game sessions such as the “Be My Lawyer” game – an interactive activity where the audience is provided with a set of facts and invited to provide their analysis based on their newly gained knowledge of Child Rights and Child Justice Administration – and “Picasso Me” – where each child was asked to draw an item and the best drawings received prizes. These games fostered learning through creative and engaging formats and also ensured that children had access to play and recreation.

Drug Aid Africa also provided sanitary pads to the women and girls, accompanied by an educational session on proper use and menstrual hygiene.

This impactful event was a success thanks to Drug Aid Africa representatives and the efforts of a dedicated team of CRJJC lawyers and volunteers, including Tope Tokan-Lawal, Akorede Adelupe, Lolade Ayeni, Oyeyosola Diya, Raphael Irenen, Niyi Olawale, Sharon Ogunjiofor, and Olanrewaju Ali.

Support Our Mission

The Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”) is the legal aid arm of TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People. We provide legal support to children and juveniles in Nigeria, many of whom would otherwise be unrepresented.

Since 2018, we have ensured that hundreds of marginalised children have access to quality education by providing tuition scholarships, daily lunch stipends, school supplies, after- school and national exams preparatory lessons, social support, and legal representation in court through our Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (@CR_JJC).

But the milestone we’re proudest of is the establishment of the Special Approved School in January 2023 for secondary school-aged girls within the Special Correctional Center for Girls (SCCG) in Idi-Araba, Lagos. This means that girls in the custody of the justice system can receive quality education from our team of qualified tutors/teachers, because we believe children should have access to education, regardless of their custody status.

For legal assistance, contact us at crjjc@tokanfoundation.com or on social media: Twitter/IG/FB: @cr_jjc and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/crjjc

Fundraiser

Help us continue our crucial work in ensuring no child is left behind by donating to TOKAN Foundation and CRJJC via:

TOKAN Foundation

Account No. 1015972986 

Zenith Bank Plc

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

The post February 2025 Newsletter appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

1^st Term (September – December 2024) Report

With your help, in the 1^st Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year, we provided educational, social, medical, and legal support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Centre (“CRJJC”). We also  partnered with We Run the World Girls (WRTWG) for Painting Smiles 2.0; celebrated CRJJC’s 2^nd Anniversary which also hosted phase II of its Know Your Rights Initiative for over 200 children in three correctional centres across Lagos.

At TOKAN Foundation, we believe that access to quality education is a basic human right, and no child should be so denied because of their or their parent’s socio-economic status, disability, gender, amongst other factors. Further, education can only be impactful when a child is fully supported in all the ways that they need. Since 2018, we have ensured that hundreds of marginalised children have access to quality education by providing tuition scholarships, daily lunch stipends, school supplies, after-school and national examination preparatory lessons, social support, and legal representation in court through our Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (@CR_JJC). We also established the Special Approved School in January 2023 for secondary school-aged girls within the Special Correctional Center for Girls (SCCG) in Idi-Araba, Lagos.

To continue our important work to fullfil our goal of  providing children everywhere with access to quality education and welfare, we provided the following support valued at ₦5,762,200 (Five Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira):

• Tuition scholarships and Textbooks – 43 children
• Daily lunch stipends – 43 children
• School bags, shoes, and other supplies – 102 children
• Monthly Salaries for Secondary School Class Teachers – 4 teachers at Special Correctional Center for Girls (SCCG)
• Legal support – 6 children

We also ran and sponsored other activities for hundreds of children across Lagos:

• Painting Smiles 2.0 collaboration with We Run the World Girls foundation in December 2024 to provide catering and baking training to 50 girls
• Donation of Signposts/banners to the Children’s Correctional Center for Girls, Idi-Araba (CCCG)
• Skills Acquisitions trainings for Children’s Correctional Center for Girls, Idi-Araba
• Payments for school end-of-year parties, because every child has a right to play!

Social and Other Support:

We continued our regular social visits to all the Children’s Correctional Center across Lagos. We also purchased phones for our first University beneficiaries who recently graduated Secondary School. This support is part of our mission to adequately empower our beneficiaries to become self-sufficient and positively-impacting members of their communities.

Legal Support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”)

Court Representation

Between September and December, CRJJC’s network of volunteer lawyers represented 6 children in a total of 14 court appearances for various offences, expending dozens of pro bono hours on behalf of our clients. Filing and other court fees are paid for by TOKAN Foundation for children whose parents are unable to afford same.

Know Your Rights Initiative 

In November 2024, CRJJC hosted Phase II of the Know Your Rights Initiative across three correctional centres for children in Lagos. The first event was held on 16 November 2024 at the Special Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Oregun (“SCCB”); a combined event was held on 23 November 2024 for the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”) and Children’s Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCCG”). The events were coordinated by a volunteer team of experienced lawyers, law students, and other volunteers. The lawyer-speakers explained Child Rights and Child Justice Administration laws to keep them informed and protected as they continue to pass through the Nigerian justice system.

Back to School – 2^nd Term

 School Supplies for School Children

The 2nd Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year commenced on 6 January 2025 for millions of students across Nigeria. It was no different for the children we support. Within the first 2 weeks, TOKAN Foundation purchased and delivered school bags, school shoes and sandals, stationary, and other supplies to students in four Children’s Centers across Lagos. Supplies were made based on specific requests from the children and their guardians, who have a greater understanding of their needs.

Tuition Scholarships and Fundraiser for 2^nd Term

The new term has commenced and so has payment for school fees for our beneficiaries. This is where you, our loyal donor, come in. We were able to do so much with your help last year. We would like to help even more children until our goal of ensuring every child has access to education, regardless of their socio-economic status, is realised.

As always we appreciate your support via donations to the TOKAN Foundation’s Zenith Bank Account No. 1015972986. If you prefer to pay online, you can donate through https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation. We also welcome partnerships and collaborations from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government. Anyone who shares our dream of educating young minds is welcome.

TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People is a registered charity dedicated to providing financial, educational, and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people across Nigeria, and legal support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”). We believe that every child and young person deserves a future filled with opportunities and growth. Through our various programs, we strive to one day create a world where no child or young person is denied a future of possibilities.

For more information about TOKAN Foundation or to discuss ways you can support our work, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com or on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

#TOKANFoundation #crjjc #charity #Nigeria #education #scholarship #equity #donations #NGO #nonprofit #students #BackToSchool

The post January 2025 Newsletter appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

• Represented dozens of children in Court, ensuring access to justice for those in need and ensuring their voices are heard.
• Secured the release of children from correctional centres, helping them reintegrate into society and giving them a chance to rebuild their lives.
• Hosted the Know Your Rights Initiative events in June/July and November across Lagos correctional centres empowering children with knowledge about their rights and the justice system in fun and interactive ways.

CRJJC works closely with families, social workers, schools, and correctional centres to ensure children receive wholistic support. Whether advocating for their rights in court, helping them meet release conditions, or reuniting them with families or guardians, our goal is to create brighter futures for every child.

We owe our success to the commitment of volunteer lawyers, law students, donors, and supporters. Your dedication, time, and resources have allowed us to create meaningful impact and inspire hope for hundreds of children.

Together, we are building a system where children are protected, empowered, and given a fair chance to thrive.

Support Our Mission

CRJJC is the legal services arm of the TOKAN Foundation, providing pro bono legal support to juveniles in Nigeria. Visit tokanfoundation.com/crjjc to learn more.

How You Can Help: Donate via Zenith Bank Plc: 1015972986 (TOKAN Foundation) or Donate via Paystack: https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation

For legal assistance, email crjjc@tokanfoundation.com or message us on social media: Twitter/IG/FB: @cr_jjc | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/crjjc

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s continue to create change, one child at a time.

The post CRJJC at 2: Celebrating Two Years of Championing Justice for Every Child appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Thank you for standing with us, carrying our mantle from month to month, and helping us meet our goals. Your generosity, commitment, and shared vision have empowered us to support hundreds of children in need, secure justice for the vulnerable, and create brighter futures together.

Together, we have achieved so much this year, and it’s all thanks to your unwavering support. As we look ahead, we are inspired by the collective impact we can continue to make. For our new supporters, you can read about our activities in 2024 and previous years at https://tokanfoundation.com/blog/ and on social media. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey with us.

The journey ahead is filled with possibilities, and with your continued support, we will keep making a lasting difference in the lives of children who need it the most. You can support our activities with donations to the foundation’s Zenith Bank Account No. 1015972986 or paystack. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government.

The post With Gratitude: A Special Thank You to Our Supporters appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

For many girls in Nigeria and around the world, their dreams of a bright future are too often overshadowed by challenges such as limited access to education, violence, child marriage, and unequal opportunities. These barriers prevent girls from fully realizing their vision for themselves and their communities.

At TOKAN Foundation, we recognize that investing in girls’ education, rights, and well-being today will unlock a brighter, more equitable tomorrow. Girls are not merely beneficiaries of change; they are its catalysts. That’s why we continue to prioritize programs that empower girls to take ownership of their futures. Through financial, educational, and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people across Nigeria, and legal aid provided by CRJJC, we are committed to making girls’ visions for the future a reality.

A Call for Collective Action

As we celebrate the strength and vision of girls, we call on governments, organisations, communities, and individuals to join us in removing the barriers that stand in their way. Let’s work together to create environments where girls’ voices are amplified, their rights are protected, and their visions for the future are realized.

Let’s commit to empowering every girl to dream big and achieve even more.

***

You can support TOKAN Foundation and CRJJC with donations to the foundation’s bank account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or via Paystack. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organizations, and the government.

For more information about TOKAN Foundation, CRJJC, or to discuss ways you can support our work, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com, and engage with us on social media.

The post International Day of the Girl Child 2024: Girls’ Vision for the Future appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Today, we celebrate your dedication and recognize the profound difference you make in every student’s life. May you continue to be a guiding light and a source of inspiration.

Happy Teachers’ Day!

#TOKANFoundation #charity #Nigeria #education #scholarship #equity #donations #NGO #nonprofit #students

The post Happy Teachers’ Day 2024 appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

In ensuring that our beneficiaries continue to have access to quality education and welfare, we provided the following support valued at ₦2,950,454 (Two Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira) in the 3rd Term and Long Vacation of the 2023/2024 Academic Year:

• Tuition scholarships and Textbooks – 8 students

• Daily lunch stipends – 26 students

• School bags, shoes, and other supplies – 40 students

• School lessons – 5 students

• Graduation fees and school party clothes – 16 students

• UTME fees – 2 students

• Medical support – 3 students

• Secondary school class teachers – Monthly Salary, teachers at SCC Girls and SCC Boys

• Legal support – 9 child offenders

Other activities:

• Donation of essential drugs and supplies to the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”), and the Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCG”) in partnership with Drug Aid Africa.

• Donation of TV to Correctional Center for Junior Boys in Birrel, Yaba (“CCJB”).

• Purchase of CRJJC t-shirts and roll up banners for the Know Your Rights Initiative.

• Celebration of graduates at the Correctional Center for Junior Boys in Birrel, Yaba (“CCJB”), and the Correctional Center for Senior Boys in Isheri (“CCSB”).

• Purchase of anniversary t-shirts for 6th Anniversary benefit sale.

Social and Other Support:

We continued our weekly social visits to both CCJB and CCSB. In addition, we purchased a smart television for CCJB with the support of an anonymous donor. For the older boys in CCSB, we worked with the center to ensure that the older children obtained NIN, BVN, and bank accounts. We also secured phones for 4 boys who recently turned eighteen. These phones were donated by our sponsors and is part of our mission to adequately empower our beneficiaries to become self-sufficient and positively-impacting members of their communities. We have also committed to support the older girls at CCG with similar provisions.

6th Anniversary Celebrations and Benefit Sale

To celebrate our 6th Anniversary on 14 June, we commissioned two paintings by Victoria Oniosun, titled Mother, Provider (2024) and Graduation (2024). Proceeds from this auction will go directly into our work, funding the welfare of more children in Nigeria. The auction is managed by June Creative Art Advisory(JCAA). To place a bid, kindly contact Seun Alli at +2348179830800, hq@jcaalagos.com, or jcaalagos@gmail.com.

Our commemorative t-shirts of “Mother, Provider” (2024) and “Graduation” (2024) are also available for sale at ₦20,000 each.

Legal Support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”)

Court Representation

Between April and August, CRJJC’s volunteer lawyers represented 9 children in Court for various offences and secured the release of 2 children (a boy and a girl). We also secured bail for 2 other children ensuring that they returned to their families and were able to resume their education during the trial. In this period, our volunteer lawyers appeared in court 19 times, expending dozens of pro bono hours on behalf of our clients whose parents only have to pay for filing fees. Filing and other court fees are paid for by TOKAN Foundation for children whose parents are unable to afford same.

Know Your Rights Initiative 

In June and July 2024, CRJJC hosted the Know Your Rights Initiative across five correctional centres for children in Lagos. The first event was held on 15 June 2024 at the Special Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Oregun (“SCCB”); a combined event was held on 22 June 2024 for the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”) and Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCG”); another combined event was held on 13 July 2024 for CCJB and CCSB. The events were coordinated by a team of experienced lawyers, law students, and other volunteers. The lawyer-speakers discussed Child Rights (under the Nigerian Constitution and laws) and Child Justice Administration.

Tope Tokan-Lawal receives the Distinguished Merit Award

Our founder and Chair was, on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, presented with the Distinguished Merit Award by the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (“NANNS”) for her work at TOKAN Foundation. She was inducted to the NANNS 2024 Hall of Fame as an Icon of Hope in recognition of my immense contribution towards national development, educational upliftment, youth engagement, and relentless service to humanity.

Donation of Essential Drugs and Medical Supplies with Drug Aid Africa

On Saturday, 17 August 2024, we again joined Drug Aid Africa to donate essential drugs and medical supplies, including items like paracetamol, dewormers, antimalarials, antibiotics, and sanitary pads to Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”) and Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCG”). This is the second round of donations made in partnership with Drug Aid Africa, the first of which was done in March 2024.

Fundraiser: 2024/2025 Academic Year

For the 2024/2025 Academic Year, we hope to continue our impact and ensure that our beneficiaries can thrive in and out of school. Your donations remain crucial to our work, and we hope you will continue to work with us to bridge the gap and ensure that every child and young person has a future filled with opportunities and growth.

You can support our activities with donations to the foundation’s Account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government.

About Us

TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People is a registered charity dedicated to providing financial, educational, and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people across Nigeria, and legal support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”). We believe that every child and young person deserves a future filled with opportunities and growth. Through our various programs, we strive to one day create a world where no child or young person is denied a future of possibilities.

For more information about TOKAN Foundation or to discuss other ways you can support our work, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com, and engage with us on social media.

The post 3rd Term and Long Vacation Impact Report appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

We are happy with this recognition and celebrate with her and our team at TOKAN Foundation, as well as our donors, volunteers, supporters, well wishers and partners. This award celebrates us all!

The post A Tope Tokan-Lawal receives Distinguished Merit Award appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.