The Niger State House of Assembly has directed the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to collaborate with relevant security agencies to conduct a statewide verification and audit of all orphanages and motherless babies' homes in the state.
This directive followed a Motion sponsored by Umar Nasir (Paikoro) on the alarming increase in unregistered and unregulated orphanages and motherless babies' homes operating illegally across Niger State.
Nasir explained that these establishments pose a significant threat to child security and public safety.
According to him, “Many of these homes function outside government regulatory agencies' purview, do not adhere to child welfare protection standards, and serve as breeding grounds for criminal activities such as child trafficking, kidnapping, and exploitation.”
Against this background, the House unanimously adopted the resolution directing the Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a standardized and accessible licensing framework to regulate orphanages across the state.
The lawmakers called for review existing laws on child protection and recommend stiffer penalties for illegal operation of orphanages and involvement in child trafficking-related offenses.
The House also directed the Ministry of Information and Local Government Authorities to conduct public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of patronizing unlicensed homes.
