CSOs Urge Review of Policies on Children's Development

On Thursday in Abuja, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Dr. Segun Adebayo, Executive Director of the Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory (CAFPRA), raised alarms regarding the increasing foreign influence on policies and programs affecting Nigerian children. They called on the National Assembly to thoroughly scrutinize relevant legislation, educational frameworks, and government policies to ensure alignment with Nigeria's social and cultural realities.

The CSOs urged parliament to look beyond individual bills and assess broader policy frameworks, funding sources, partnerships, and educational materials aimed at children and youth. Dr. Adebayo stressed the importance of ensuring that policies adopted in African nations are rooted in their own contexts.

He highlighted the need for clear definitions and careful consideration of terms such as “bodily autonomy,” “sexual rights,” and “gender identity” before their inclusion in laws or educational materials for children.