- Lagos Govt Issues Fresh Compliance Order to Orphanage Operators
- Moves to Tighten Regulation of Orphanage Homes
- Set to Shut Down Illegal Orphanages Over Child Protection Violations
The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to founders and operators of orphanage homes across the state, directing them to comply fully with approved operational standards and regulatory requirements or risk sanctions, including possible closure.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the warning was delivered during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Creches and Orphanages Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall in Alausa, Ikeja.
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The meeting, themed “Operational Standards and Regulatory Compliance for Orphanage Homes,” brought together operators of residential child care facilities to strengthen collaboration and improve child welfare services across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, described orphanage homes as critical partners in Lagos State’s child protection system.
He said orphanage homes must go beyond providing shelter by creating safe, supportive and child-friendly environments where vulnerable children can access quality education, healthcare, psychosocial support and opportunities to realise their full potential.
According to him, compassion alone is not enough to run an orphanage, stressing that operators must demonstrate professionalism, accountability and strict compliance with established laws and operational guidelines.
Ogunlende explained that the state has developed clear standards aimed at protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation while ensuring proper documentation, effective case management and transparent service delivery.
He stressed that children requiring institutional care must only be admitted into government-approved homes through due legal processes and court orders where necessary.
The commissioner also assured operators that the state government would continue to provide policy guidance, technical support, capacity-building programmes, and stronger monitoring and enforcement to improve child welfare services.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, commended orphanage operators for complementing government efforts in caring for vulnerable children.
She, however, maintained that genuine concern for children must be backed by full compliance with regulatory standards.
According to her, every orphanage home is expected to meet minimum operational requirements, including proper registration and licensing, child-friendly infrastructure, qualified and screened caregivers, sound financial accountability, comprehensive record management and effective child safeguarding policies.
Participants also received presentations from experts on legal compliance and child protection.
Delivering a paper on the legal framework guiding orphanage operations, the Director of Legal Services in the ministry, Mrs. Kemi Olugbode, said the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law places the best interest of every child above every other consideration.
She explained that every orphanage must first be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) before obtaining an operational licence from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
Olugbode added that children can only be admitted into approved orphanage homes through lawful procedures and, where applicable, court orders.
She also highlighted the importance of maintaining proper records, employing qualified personnel, implementing child protection policies, providing adequate nutrition, healthcare, education and counselling, as well as complying with infrastructure and staffing requirements.
She recommended mandatory background checks for all employees, regular staff training and clearly defined qualifications for caregivers to enhance the quality of care offered to children.
Also speaking, Mr. Akeushola Olatunji of the ministry’s Child Protection Unit reminded participants that every child has the right to safety, dignity and protection.
He warned that children living in institutional care remain particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation where appropriate safeguards are absent.
Olatunji identified physical, emotional, sexual and verbal abuse, neglect and child exploitation as major threats facing children in orphanages.
He urged operators to strengthen child protection measures by employing qualified staff, conducting background checks, providing regular safeguarding training, enforcing child protection policies, supervising interactions between staff and children, promoting positive discipline and establishing effective reporting mechanisms.
He added that adequate nutrition, healthcare, education, emotional support and secure living conditions remain essential to protecting children’s rights.
Chairman of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Lagos State Chapter, Alhaji Ganiu Olaiwola, praised the ministry for organising the meeting, describing it as an important platform for improving standards across orphanage homes.
Olaiwola disclosed that the association has established monitoring task forces across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos to ensure operators comply with the Child’s Rights Law and other regulatory provisions.
He warned that any orphanage found operating outside approved standards or in violation of existing laws would face appropriate sanctions, including outright closure where necessary, to protect children in institutional care.
The meeting ended with renewed commitments by both the Lagos State Government and orphanage operators to strengthen collaboration, improve service delivery and ensure that every vulnerable child in Lagos grows up in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
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