The Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid Initiative (CELOHA) and the West Africa Network for Child Protection (WAN Network) have urged the Kano State Government to urgently establish and activate a functional State Child Protection Committee.
The groups made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, expressing concern that more than three years have passed since Kano enacted its Child Protection Law in May 2023.
They said the law was an important step towards strengthening the protection of children in the state, but stressed that legislation alone could not adequately protect children without functioning institutions.
“However, more than three years later, concerns remain about the absence of a fully operational State Child Protection Committee capable of providing coordinated oversight, referral, monitoring and implementation of child-protection interventions across the state,” the groups said.
They noted that the concern had previously been raised in January 2026, when the Child Protection Network in Kano called for the establishment of a Child Protection Committee and a Family Court.
CELOHA and WAN Network said three years was too long for children and vulnerable families to wait for an institution needed to strengthen the implementation of child-protection laws and policies.
They called on the state government to immediately establish and inaugurate the committee, publish a clear roadmap for implementing the Child Protection Law, and provide adequate funding and personnel for child-protection structures and social services.
The groups also urged the government to improve coordination among agencies responsible for children, justice, education, health, social welfare and security.
They called for effective referral and case-management systems for children facing abuse, neglect, trafficking, exploitation and violence, as well as stronger child-protection structures at the local government level.
The organisations further urged the government to involve civil society and child-protection groups in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the state’s child-protection system.
They acknowledged efforts by the Kano State Government and development partners in child welfare, justice and social protection, including a 2026 Standard Operating Procedure framework developed by Kano and UNICEF on child justice, diversion and accountability.
However, they said such programmes needed to be supported by a coordinated and functional child-protection system.
The groups also recalled that the Kano State House of Assembly raised concerns in September 2025 over child trafficking and forced labour and called for stronger enforcement of the Child Protection Law.
“Every child in Kano deserves protection, dignity, safety and access to justice. The passage of a law must not be the end of the process; it must be the beginning of effective implementation,” they said.
They added: “Three years of waiting is enough. Kano’s children cannot afford another year of delay.”
CELOHA and WAN Network said they remained willing to work with the Kano State Government, relevant agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen a coordinated and child-centred protection system across the state.
