Lagos Govt shuts four orphanages over child trafficking, illegal adoptions

The Lagos State Government has shut down four orphanages found guilty of child trafficking, illegal adoptions, and violating child rights laws, while approving 45 others after a thorough screening exercise.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, announced the development during a ministerial briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second anniversary in office.

Ogunlende revealed that God’s Time Orphanage in Igando was closed for improper registration, mismanagement, and breaching child rights laws. At Life Time Changer Orphanage in Festac, officials uncovered child trafficking activities. He noted that other homes failed to follow due process in child adoption and registration.

He stressed that the affected orphanages would remain sealed while investigations continue, adding that sanctions would follow to serve as a deterrent.

“All orphanage operators must comply with guidelines, including Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration, exclusive operation as an orphanage, and obtaining Ministry approval for every child placement and adoption,” Ogunlende warned.

The state also confirmed the approval of 68 fully registered orphanages and provisional approval for 45 others over the past year, aimed at improving care for vulnerable children.

On disability empowerment, Ogunlende disclosed that the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) empowered 1,000 persons with disabilities in the past year through financial grants, vocational training, healthcare services, and provision of assistive devices.

Key interventions included ₦30 million disbursed to 150 senior citizens and vulnerable PWDs, along with disability groups like Dyslexia Nigeria and the Down Syndrome Association.

The Ministry also trained 100 PWD entrepreneurs, offering them CAC registrations and business tools, including freezers, sewing machines, fish tanks, and cookers. Civil servants with disabilities received wheelchairs, scooters, laptops with assistive software, and prosthetic support.

In education, inclusive schools were equipped with modern learning aids, while free oral care, manual wheelchairs, and assistive devices were distributed to children with disabilities. LASODA further organized talent shows and exhibitions to showcase PWD creativity.

For youth empowerment, Ogunlende revealed that over 85,000 Lagos youths benefited from vocational, leadership, and digital skills training under initiatives like the LAG-UP Project, run in partnership with GFA Technologies. So far, 23,305 youths have completed over 84 tech and creative courses under the programme.

Additionally, 4,042 youths, including 3,200 females, were trained in trades like tailoring, carpentry, shoemaking, tiling, and software development through private partnerships. Leadership grooming continued with the IBILE Youth Academy, where 500 young leaders were trained recently.

Ogunlende affirmed that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to protecting child rights, empowering persons with disabilities, and creating opportunities for young people across the state.