By Oluwakemi Kindness
A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the National Assembly to review Nigeria’s education and child welfare policies to ensure they reflect the country’s social realities, values and national interests.
The coalition, led by the Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory, CAFPRA, made the call at a media engagement in Abuja.
CAFPRA Executive Director, Dr Segun Adebayo, urged lawmakers to scrutinise international funding, partnerships and curricula linked to education and child welfare programmes before adopting them.
He cautioned against adopting externally developed policy frameworks without adequate consultation with Nigerians.
The coalition also raised concerns about the use of terms including “bodily autonomy”, “sexual rights” and “gender identity” in education and policy discussions.
A representative of CYFPRA, Chris Yama, called for greater parental and community involvement in determining what children are taught under Comprehensive Sexuality Education programmes.
Human rights lawyer, Sonnie Ekwowusi, said public consultation would be critical to the success of any policy, warning that policies without public support could face resistance.
Policy researcher Gold Boms said the coalition was reviewing pending bills to determine whether they align with Nigeria’s social realities.
CAFPRA also announced plans to submit a proposed African Charter on Family Values and Sovereignty to the National Assembly as an alternative policy framework.
However, Jane Chukwu of InnerCity Missions for Children urged policymakers to focus more on the immediate challenges facing vulnerable children, including poverty, family breakdown and limited access to education.
She said her organisation encounters children facing these challenges daily and announced plans to establish a free school in Abuja to support vulnerable children.
