A child may be separated from his/her parent or guardian where it is determined that they are unable to provide care, protection, or maintenance to the child. Oftentimes, this separation can be prevented when necessary financial and social support is provided to the parent/guardian by the government, NGOs, or well-meaning individuals.

By helping children remain in positive family relationships with access to necessary care, protection, and maintenance, we can help improve their outcomes in life. We also reduce their chances of physical or emotional abuse, trauma, or other occurrencies which may cause the child to engage in detrimental behaviours.

***

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. 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.

We work with families, social workers, school proprietors, correctional centers and other institutions for children to ensure that children can properly navigate their way through the system. We also advocate tirelessly for the rights of children who are thrown into the juvenile justice system and help them navigate their way out or through it. We also help to ensure that they meet their terms of release and can transition seamlessly back into school. Where possible, and if in the best interest of the child, we assist with uniting/reuniting children with their families, guardians, or foster parents.

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.

We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government. For more information please reach out to us at crjjc@tokanfoundation.com, and on social media.

The post Child’s Right to: Parental Care, Protection, and Maintenance appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Some have been locked away at the Nigeria Correctional Service’s Borstal Training Institute, Adigbe, since 2023. Others since 2024 and 2025.

Every one of them was waiting for a court date.

Every one of them believed someone, somewhere, was handling their case.

The reality was heartbreaking.

When our team from the Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC) visited the Borstal Institute on 16 July 2026, we met these children, listened to their stories and immediately knew something was wrong.

So, four days later, we began searching.

Not online.

Not by making a few phone calls.

We physically travelled from court to court across Ogun State, spending days inside registries, searching archives, tracing files through transfers, speaking with court staff, prosecutors and Chief Magistrates, determined to answer one simple question:

“Where are these children’s cases?”

What we found should concern every Nigerian.

Within just five days:

• We discovered that two children’s cases had already been struck out, yet they remained behind bars because no one had taken the necessary steps to secure and transmit the warrants for their release. We immediately processed and paid for the reproduction and transmission of the warrants so they could finally regain their freedom.
• Six case files could not initially be located. Imagine being a child deprived of your liberty while no one can even identify where your case file is.
• After days of relentless searching, we found three of those missing cases in different courts and immediately secured fresh hearing dates so the matters can move towards determination.
• Our search continues for the remaining three children, because no child deserves to disappear into the justice system simply because a file cannot be found.

Along the way, we uncovered cases that had stalled because judicial officers had changed, files had been transferred without proper follow-up, charge numbers no longer matched court records, and, in some instances, the authorities had never properly recorded that the defendants were children.

These are not just administrative oversights.

For a child in detention, every missing file, every delayed hearing and every forgotten transfer means another day, another week, another month—sometimes another year—behind locked doors.

This is the reality of child justice.

It is painstaking.

It is time-consuming.

It requires lawyers willing to spend entire days travelling across states, searching dusty registries, tracing archived files, filing applications, following up with prosecutors, liaising with correctional centres and standing in court to ensure children are not forgotten.

This is the work CRJJC does.

Every week.

Every month.

Every year.

We do it because every child deserves due process. Every child deserves to have their case heard within a reasonable time. Every child deserves hope.

Today, because we cared enough to search, two children are on the path to freedom, three have active court dates again, and the search continues for the rest.

Justice begins with finding those the system has forgotten.

***

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.

We’re always looking to collaborate with anyone who supports our mission. 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 with any of the social media links.

The post CRJJC’s advocacy in Ogun State: securing releases, reviving forgotten cases, and restoring access to justice appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Continuing to Show Up for Children

May and June were months of consistency, reflection, and celebration for TOKAN Foundation. As the school term progressed, we remained committed to ensuring that every child under our care received the educational, welfare, and legal support needed to thrive.

June also marked a significant milestone as we celebrated eight years of transforming lives and reaffirmed our commitment to a future where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Back to School: Starting the Term Prepared

The month of May began with the delivery of back-to-school supplies to children at the Correctional Centre for Junior Boys (CCJB) and the Correctional Centre for Senior Boys (CCSB) on 1 May 2026.

At TOKAN Foundation, we believe every child deserves to begin the school term with dignity and confidence. To support this, the Foundation provided essential items including writing materials, textbooks, school socks, school belts, underwear, and toiletries.

Throughout the term, we also continued the payment of school and lesson fees, as well as weekly lunch stipends. Our bi-weekly welfare visits to the centres and legal representation through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Centre (CRJJC) ensured that our beneficiaries continued to receive holistic support every step of the way.

Friendly Games with UFC

On 1 May 2026, members of the Ultimate Frisbee Club (UFC) played a friendly match with the boys at CCJB. The game was intense, and while the boys proved they were more than a match for the experienced UFC players, they lost by a point finishing with 19-20.

Since 2025, teenagers at CCJB and the Correctional Centre for Girls (CCCG) have played frisbee with members of UFC. Many have been recognised as Most Valuable Players during games and tournaments, demonstrating their enthusiasm and growing skill in the sport.

Empowering Children Through Knowledge: CRJJC’s Know Your Rights Programme

On 30 May 2026, CRJJC hosted another edition of its Know Your Rights Programme at the Special Correctional Centre for Boys (SCCB), Oregun.

The session brought together volunteer lawyers and facilitators, who engaged the boys in discussions on child rights, child justice administration, and the legal protections available to children within Nigeria’s justice system.

The learning experience was intentionally designed to be both educational and engaging. Interactive games, including Picasso Me and Be My Lawyer, encouraged active participation while helping the children understand the concepts discussed. Participants who excelled during the activities and correctly answered questions throughout the programme received gifts, creating an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm.

CRJJC Advocacy

In June, CRJJC lawyers continued to represent children in conflict with the law, devoting hours to court advocacy, court filings, and legal advisory work.

In one case, CRJJC worked alongside counsel representing a boy remanded at SCCB, Oregun, providing support in the child’s best interests. This collaborative effort contributed to the reduction of his sentence to 200 hours of community service and his release into the custody of his family.

Eight Years of Impact

On 14 June 2026, TOKAN Foundation proudly celebrated its eighth anniversary—a milestone reflecting eight years of unwavering commitment to vulnerable children and young people.

Since 2018, the Foundation has grown from supporting a handful of children to investing millions of Naira each school term in educational, welfare, medical, recreational, and legal interventions. What began as a simple vision has evolved into a movement powered by the generosity of our donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters.

As we celebrated this milestone, we reflected on the hundreds of children whose lives have been transformed through access to education, healthcare, legal advocacy, and opportunities that continue to shape brighter futures. We remain grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and look forward to many more years of impact.

Staying Connected Through School Visits

In June, the TOKAN Foundation team continued its school monitoring visits across Lagos to assess the academic progress and well-being of our beneficiaries.

On Saturday, 20 June, Ms Mobola attended the Open Day/Visiting Day for 19 student beneficiaries at Let It Shine Academy (LISA) in Ajah. She engaged with teachers and school officials to discuss the children’s progress and welfare.

On Wednesday, 24 June, Ms Mobola visited three student beneficiaries across two schools in Isheri, observing them in their everyday learning environments and gaining first-hand insight into their academic and social development.

On the same day, Ms Tope visited nine student beneficiaries across three schools in Yaba, continuing our commitment to maintaining close relationships with our beneficiaries, their teachers, and their schools.

These visits enable us to celebrate progress, identify areas where additional support may be needed, and ensure that every child continues to receive the care and encouragement they deserve.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the next phase of the year, we remain deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters whose generosity continues to make our work possible.

Whether through educational support, welfare interventions, healthcare assistance, school monitoring, recreational activities, or legal advocacy, every effort contributes to our shared goal of ensuring that every child has access to the opportunities, support, and protection they deserve.

Together, we will continue to restore hope, protect rights, and build brighter futures for children and young people.

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.

We’re always looking to collaborate with anyone who supports our mission. 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 with any of the social media links.

The post July 2026 Newsletter appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

On Saturday, 11 July 2026, the TOKAN Foundation team delivered essential medicines and medical supplies, generously donated by Drug Aid Africa, to the Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun (SCCB); Children’s Correctional Centre for Senior Boys, Isheri (CCSB); Children’s Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Yaba (CCJB); Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba (SCCG); and Children’s Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba (CCCG).

Continuing this outreach on Thursday, 16 July 2026, our team also visited the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Borstal Training Institute, Adigbe, Abeokuta, to deliver medicines and medical supplies, extending the reach of this intervention to even more vulnerable children and young people.

Across these six institutions, the donations have the potential to benefit more than 700 children and young people. The centres collectively care for approximately 200 children, while the Borstal Institute accommodates approximately 500 residents, making access to essential healthcare supplies critically important.

The supplies were provided in response to each centre’s identified healthcare needs and included antimalarial medication, antibiotics, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines, antifungal medication, cough and cold medicines, vitamins and nutritional supplements, medication for sickle cell management, topical creams and lotions for skin conditions, and other essential healthcare items. The medicines and supplies will be administered by each centre’s healthcare professionals to support the treatment, recovery, and overall well-being of the children in their care.

These donations form part of the ongoing partnership between TOKAN Foundation and Drug Aid Africa, which began in 2024 to improve access to medicines and medical supplies for children’s correctional centres across Lagos and now the NCoS Borstal Training Institute in Adigbe. This sustained collaboration continues to strengthen healthcare support for some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.

We are deeply grateful to Drug Aid Africa for their generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving access to quality healthcare.

Together, we are ensuring that vulnerable children receive not only education and legal support, but also the healthcare they need to heal, grow, and build brighter futures.

Every box of medicine delivered represents the possibility of quicker recovery, reduced suffering, and hope for hundreds of children who deserve the opportunity to thrive.

The post TOKAN Foundation and Drug Aid Africa Donate Medicines and Medical Supplies to Five Children’s Centres In Lagos and NCoS Borstal Institute, Adigbe appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Although he was not directly linked to the alleged offences, he was charged alongside the others. Even more troubling, despite being a child, Salam was processed as an adult and remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in June 2025.

According to the police, Salam stated that he was over 18 years old. Yet there was no meaningful effort to verify his age, despite clear safeguards under the Child Rights Law of Lagos State designed to protect children in conflict with the law. He was questioned without a parent, guardian or lawyer present, and was subsequently detained in an adult prison

For 8 months, Salam remained in Kirikiri from June 2025 to February 2026.

It was only after his older brother emailed the Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC) in February 2026 seeking urgent assistance that the situation began to change.

Our team immediately requested documents to verify Salam’s age, confirmed his next court date, and appeared in court to represent him. We ensured that his birth certificate and LASSRA ID Card were placed before the court.

The Magistrate observed that Salam appeared youthful and accepted that he had been wrongly remanded in an adult correctional facility. The court consequently ordered his immediate transfer to the Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun (SCCB), the institution where he ought to have been placed from the outset.

Salam’s case raises important questions.

How does a child end up in a maximum security prison for adults simply because his age was not properly verified? Why was this not identified earlier by the investigating authorities or the prosecution? And how many other children remain in the wrong facilities because no one has raised the alarm?

At CRJJC, our intervention did not end with securing Salam’s transfer. We continue to represent him throughout the ongoing criminal proceedings, ensuring that his rights are protected and that he receives the fair treatment every child is entitled to under the law.

This case is a reminder that child justice is not merely about prosecuting offences. It is about recognising childhood, applying the law correctly, and ensuring that administrative errors or indifference do not expose children to unnecessary harm.

No child should spend even one day in an adult prison because the system failed to ask the right questions.

That is why CRJJC exists.

****

Support CRJJC

Since November 2022, CRJJC has provided pro bono legal services to over fifty (50) children and juveniles in centers across Lagos and Ogun state. Your generous contributions empower CRJJC to champion justice for every child, conduct public education in children’s correctional centres, and achieve meaningful outcomes for vulnerable children. With your help, we continue to strengthen our efforts through research, public awareness campaigns, and coalition building across Nigeria.

Join us in creating lasting change by donating to Zenith Bank Plc: 1015972986 (TOKAN Foundation) or via Paystack. https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation

For legal assistance, email crjjc@tokanfoundation.com or message us on social media.

Together, let’s protect children and champion justice.

****

About CRJJC

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. 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.

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

The post CRJJC Case Report: Salam’s Story – A Child Lost in the Adult Prison System appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Throughout the past week, the TOKAN Foundation team carried out school monitoring and welfare visits across Lagos to check on the academic progress and well-being of the children we support.

On Saturday, 21st June, our Ms Mobola attended the Open Day/Visiting Day of 19 student beneficiaries at Let It Shine Academy (LISA) in Ajah, engaging with teachers and school officials to discuss the progress and welfare of our beneficiaries.

On Tuesday, 24th June, our Ms Mobola also visit 3 student beneficiaries across two schools in Isheri to observe them in their everyday learning environment and gain first-hand insight into their academic and social development.

On the same day, our Ms Tope visited 9 student beneficiaries across three schools in Yaba, continuing our commitment to maintaining close relationships with our beneficiaries, their teachers, and their schools.

These visits are an important part of our work, allowing us to celebrate achievements, identify areas where additional support may be needed, and ensure that every child continues to thrive.

At TOKAN Foundation, our support doesn’t end with paying school fees, we remain present every step of the journey.

3rd Term Fundraiser

As the 3rd Term continues, support is urgently needed to sustain ongoing educational and welfare interventions for our beneficiaries. We welcome donations and partnerships via:

TOKAN Foundation

Zenith Bank Plc

Account Number: 1015972986

Or online: https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation

We also welcome collaborations from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and institutions who share our vision.

The post June 2026 School Monitoring and Welfare Visits appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Eight years ago, what started with a simple belief: that every child deserves a chance to dream, learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

What began as a small effort to support children in need has grown into a community of donors, volunteers, partners, advocates, and supporters united by a shared vision: a world where no child is denied a future of possibilities.

Over the last eight years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside over a thousand children, many of whom joined our programmes at very young ages. We have watched them grow through primary school, transition into secondary school, sit for national examinations, and graduate into the next stages of their lives.

The growth of TOKAN Foundation over the last eight years has been remarkable. What began in 2018 with less than ₦100,000 (about $73.47) spent per school term has grown into an organization that now invests as much as ₦6,000,000 (about $4,408) per term in educational support: school fees, lesson fees, daily lunch stipend, school supplies, national examinations registration and preparation lesson fee. Also for welfare, medical, and legal support for vulnerable children.

Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, sponsors, partners, and volunteers, we have distributed hundreds of school bags, notebooks, text books and pairs of school shoes, alongside thousands of other educational and welfare items, reaching over 1,000 children.

For us, education is more than paying school fees. It is about creating an environment where children can focus on learning, develop confidence, and build a future for themselves.

Alongside educational support, we have continued to invest in the health and wellbeing of the children under our care. Through our collaboration with Drug Aid Africa, we have provided medical supplies to all five children’s correctional centres across Lagos State, ensuring that children have access to essential medications and healthcare support.

Our medical interventions have gone beyond the donation of supplies. Over the years, TOKAN Foundation has funded medical consultations, diagnostic tests, surgeries, medications, and emergency healthcare needs for beneficiaries requiring urgent care.

One of our proudest milestones was the creation of the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Centre (CRJJC) in 2022, born from a growing need we witnessed among children in conflict with the law. Through CRJJC, children who would otherwise have faced the justice system alone gained access to legal representation, advocacy, and support. Children who had spent years in correctional facilities without legal assistance found advocates willing to fight for their rights, their freedom, and their future. Beyond legal representation, CRJJC has worked tirelessly to educate children about their rights and child justice administration through its “Know Your Rights” initiative.

In October 2025, we extended our reach beyond Lagos State to the National Borstal Institution in Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State, further expanding our commitment to supporting vulnerable children wherever the need exists.

We have also recognized that every child deserves the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. For children with interests in sports and recreational activities, we have provided opportunities to participate in activities such as Frisbee training, football development programmes, chess, ludo, and other mind-building and confidence-building activities. Some beneficiaries have gone on to receive professional football training through enrolment in football academies, while others continue to develop strategic thinking and teamwork through recreational programmes.

As we celebrate eight years of impact, we remain as committed as ever to our mission. The challenges facing vulnerable children are still significant, but so is our determination.

For eight years, we have shown up for children.

To every child whose journey has intersected with ours, thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you.

To every supporter who has helped make this work possible, thank you for believing in our vision.

Together, we have spent eight years changing lives.

Together, we will continue building futures.

Happy 8th Anniversary, TOKAN Foundation for children and young people.

The best chapters are still ahead.

The post Celebrating 8 Years of TOKAN Foundation appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

On Friday, 1st of May 2026, the TOKAN Foundation Team delivered school supplies to the boys at Correctional Centre for Junior Boys (CCJB), Birrel and Correctional Center for Senior Boys (CCSB), Isheri, as part of our continued commitment to educational continuity and child welfare.

Items delivered included:

• Textbooks

• Pens and Pencils

• Calculators

• Socks

• Belts

• Underwear

• Toiletries

Beyond these supplies, TOKAN Foundation continues to support the children in CCJB, CCSB, and Children’s Correctional Center for Girls Idi Araba (CCCG) throughout the school term through payment of school fees, lesson fees, lunch stipends, and other welfare support to ensure they remain focused, comfortable, and ready to learn.

We also provide pro bono legal services to children at the Special Correctional Center for Girls Idi Araba (SCCG) and the Special Correctional Center for Boys, Oregun (SCCB) through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC).

Because every child deserves the right tools, support, and opportunity to succeed.

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The post Distribution of School Supplies for the 3rd Term – 2025/2026 Academic Year appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

It was a highly interactive and engaging session as the Boys actively participated in insightful discussions on their rights, child justice administration, and access to legal protection.

To make learning more fun and memorable, interactive games such as “Picasso Me” and “Be My Lawyer” were played, with winners rewarded with gifts. Children who correctly answered questions during the session were also gifted, creating an atmosphere of excitement and active participation.

We remain committed to empowering children with the knowledge they need to understand and exercise their rights.

A big thank you to our dedicated volunteers and partners whose continued support makes these impactful sessions possible.

The post CRJJC hosts Know Your Rights Initiative at SCCB appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.

Access to technology is an important part of learning and personal development. These laptops will support educational activities and provide the children with additional tools for learning and skill building.

We remain grateful to our donor whose generosity made this possible. Partnerships and acts of kindness like this help us continue creating opportunities for the children and young people we support.

At TOKAN Foundation, every contribution goes a long way in shaping brighter futures.

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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”).

You can support by donating to: TOKAN Foundation Account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or via https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation

For more information, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com or on social media.

The post Donation of laptops to CCCG and CCJB in Lagos appeared first on TOKAN Foundation.