Tackling child abandonment requires strong policy drive, experts tell FG

Leading child health and social welfare experts have called for urgent government action to strengthen child protection systems, social welfare policies, and family planning services to curb rising cases of child abandonment in Nigeria.

They stressed that lasting solutions must go beyond immediate rescue efforts and address underlying drivers such as economic hardship, unplanned pregnancies, and weak social welfare structures, while also establishing clear pathways for adoption and foster care as part of a comprehensive response.

The specialists also advocated public education, women’s empowerment, and stronger enforcement of child protection laws, warning that without these measures, the cycle of poverty and neglect would persist across generations.

In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts recommended government-funded child support schemes, improved access to contraception, and policies that hold absent fathers accountable, describing them as critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and neglect driving the trend.

They further warned that failure to act could worsen social challenges and child health outcomes, as many abandoned or neglected children face risks of illness, exploitation, and involvement in crime.

The experts said tackling child abandonment requires a multi-sectoral approach combining poverty alleviation, education, healthcare access, legal reforms, and community support systems.

They cautioned that without intervention, the problem would persist with long-term consequences for public health, security, and national development.

The National Human Rights Commission says child abandonment is a violation of children’s rights.

In 2024, the NHRC raised the alarm over rising cases of child abandonment in the country, with about 7,000 cases recorded during the year.

Its 2025 report showed it received 1,054 cases of child abandonment, with high incidents recorded in the Northern region, as well as Lagos and Oyo States.

In 2025, the agency also said it received 96 complaints involving fathers who abandoned their children in Gombe State.

Factors such as poverty, economic hardship, stigma, teenage pregnancy, disability, divorce or separation, insecurity, and conflict have been identified as drivers of child abandonment.

Commenting on the issue, a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof Edamisan Temiye, identified poverty and displacement as the primary drivers, insisting that economic stability is key to addressing the problem.

“The problem is as clear as anything. Poverty is at the root of it. When people are displaced, living in camps, hungry and unable to care for themselves, they cannot care for children,” he said.

Temiye warned that abandoned children face severe health risks, including death, infections, and long-term psychological trauma, adding that survivors often end up on the streets.

“The likelihood of a child dying when abandoned is high. If they survive, many suffer trauma and may become a nuisance to society, joining gangs or engaging in crime,” he added, urging government prioritisation of poverty reduction.

The child health expert maintained, “The solution is simple. Remove people from poverty, and you will reduce child abandonment. When people can care for themselves, they can care for their children.”

Also speaking, Consultant Paediatrician and child health advocate, Dr Ayodele Renner, said child abandonment, though not extremely common in urban centres like Lagos, still occurs, particularly in cases involving children with disabilities or severe health conditions.

He highlighted the absence of structured social welfare systems as a major gap, noting that many parents lack safe alternatives when they cannot care for their children.

“Social safety nets are not optional. They should exist for vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Unfortunately, these systems are limited, and the burden is too large for government alone,” Renner said.

He called for collaboration between the government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations to provide support services, including temporary care, adoption systems, and financial assistance.

Renner also emphasised family planning as a critical solution, warning that many Nigerians have children they cannot afford to raise.

“People need to be reoriented to have only the number of children they can care for. Family planning and contraceptives are essential to breaking this cycle,” he stated.

Renner further warned that many children are “functionally abandoned,” living on the streets despite having parents, exposing them to health risks such as infections, substance abuse, and violence.

Speaking on solutions, the paediatrician advocated women’s empowerment, improved access to education, and cultural reorientation to enable women make decisions about their reproductive health.

“Economic empowerment of women is crucial. When women can support themselves, they are better able to make decisions about childbirth and childcare,” he added.

Renner also called for clearer legal pathways for adoption and foster care, noting that current systems are inadequate and poorly structured.

Adding a legal and social perspective, a licensed social worker, Mr Dayo Adewumi, described child abandonment as a criminal act driven largely by poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.

“Child abandonment is leaving a child without proper care. It is a form of maltreatment and a threat to the child’s safety,” he said.

Adewumi noted that while laws exist, such as provisions in Lagos State mandating parental responsibility and penalising abandonment, lack of awareness prevents many from seeking help.

“There are facilities and homes for such children, but people are not properly informed. Many do not know they can approach the Ministry of Social Development for support,” he explained.

Adewumi advocated expanded public awareness campaigns and enforcement of child protection laws, including holding absent fathers accountable for child support.

The social worker also urged the government to introduce financial support systems for vulnerable families, citing models from other countries where parents receive monthly grants for childcare.

“If the government provides grants to mothers, it will reduce abandonment. People will not throw away children if they know support is available,” he said.

Adewumi further recommended well-funded foster care homes across all states and local government areas, alongside free education and school feeding programmes to ease family burdens.

On the impact of abandonment, he warned that affected children often suffer emotional trauma and may grow into social threats.

“They can become street children, engage in drugs, crime, and violence. This has serious implications for society,” Adewumi added.