The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have launched a N120 million partnership aimed at widening access to pro bono legal services for children across Nigeria.

The partnership was unveiled at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja attended by key stakeholders in the country’s justice and child protection sectors.

NBA President, Afam Osigwe, said the initiative would mobilise lawyers nationwide to provide quality legal representation for children while improving referral systems between justice institutions and child protection agencies.

According to Osigwe, the programme will also strengthen the capacity of legal professionals to manage child-sensitive cases and encourage a justice system that places the best interests of children at the centre of decision-making.

He said children affected by violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, trafficking and child marriage, as well as children in conflict with the law, frequently encounter difficulties in obtaining adequate legal support.

“For these children, lack of legal representation is a failure on our part,” he said.

Osigwe called on NBA branches across Nigeria to establish or strengthen pro bono schemes focused specifically on child protection. He also encouraged law firms to dedicate part of their professional time to representing children.

He said the N120 million partnership could create opportunities for additional funding while building the capacity of lawyers to protect children’s rights.

UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, represented by Chief Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Nigeria, Natalie McCauley, said the partnership is intended to ensure children who come into contact with the law receive protection, legal representation and support throughout the justice process.

She said children continue to encounter multiple obstacles within the justice system, including detention without legal representation, delays in case management, limited access to diversion programmes, weak referral mechanisms and inadequate support services.

“These challenges underscore the urgent need for coordinated action and stronger investment in child-friendly justice systems,” she said.

Saeed stressed that access to justice should not be treated solely as a legal matter, but also as an issue connected to child protection and development.

She said every child, whether a victim, survivor, witness or accused of an offence, deserves fair treatment, due process and an opportunity to have their voice heard.

UNICEF said its vision is for a justice system in which children can obtain legal assistance from their earliest contact with the justice system, while lawyers, social workers, police officers, correctional personnel and judicial officers collaborate to safeguard their rights.

The agency also advocated greater use of diversion and rehabilitation measures where appropriate, with decisions guided by the best interests of the child.

According to UNICEF, the NBA’s extensive network of legal practitioners and professional structures provides an opportunity to institutionalise child-sensitive legal representation and develop sustainable pro bono services across Nigeria.

Saeed further called on state chief judges to issue practice directions requiring mandatory age determination and consideration of diversion measures whenever children are brought before courts for arraignment.

The proposed approach is intended to reduce inappropriate treatment of children within the criminal justice system while ensuring that their age and the circumstances surrounding each case are properly considered.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, Director of the Criminal Justice and Reforms Department at the Federal Ministry of Justice, pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for child justice.

Fagbemi said Nigeria had already established important foundations for child protection and justice through the Child Rights Act 2003.

He noted that the legislation is currently undergoing review to ensure it reflects contemporary realities and strengthens the protections available to children.

The NBA-UNICEF partnership is expected to provide a stronger platform for children requiring legal assistance while improving coordination among professionals working across the legal, justice and child protection sectors.

For Nigeria, widening access to child-sensitive legal services could help address gaps in legal representation and contribute to a justice system capable of protecting vulnerable children regardless of their location or economic circumstances.

Source: MSME Africa Online