FG, NBA, UNICEF unveil free legal services for children

A new partnership between the Federal Government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been launched to enhance access to pro bono legal services for children across Nigeria. This initiative specifically targets children who are in conflict with the law, as well as other vulnerable youth.

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Access to justice is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right of every child.

Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels highlighted that access to justice is a fundamental right for every child. She emphasized that children interacting with the justice system, whether as victims, witnesses, or alleged offenders, deserve protection and fair treatment. "A child who comes into contact with the law... deserves a system that protects, not harms; that restores, not stigmatises; and that hears, not silences," she stated.

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A child who comes into contact with the law, whether as a victim, witness, or an actual offender, deserves a system that protects, not harms; that restores, not stigmatises; and that hears, not silences.

Nigeria has made strides in child justice through legislation like the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Justice for children is also a recognized area in the National Policy on Justice. The Federal Government is prioritizing children's rights, focusing on reducing unnecessary detention and improving child-friendly justice mechanisms. However, Ayoola-Daniels stressed that the true measure of reform is seen at the point of contact between children and the justice system.

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There is no real change outside. A real change is at the point of contact between the station and the courts.

Wafaa Saeed, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, affirmed that the partnership is founded on the principle that no child should be denied justice due to a lack of legal representation. She acknowledged the persistent obstacles children face, including detention without legal aid, case delays, limited diversion opportunities, and inadequate support. Saeed underscored that access to justice is not merely a legal issue but a child protection, development, and human dignity concern, ensuring every child's voice is heard.

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Access to justice is not simply a legal issue. It is a child protection issue, a development issue, and a matter of human dignity.