The Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, will on Thursday, 28 August 2025 , begin its annual Press Week in Lagos with a national discourse on the growing crisis of child abuse in Nigeria.
Themed “Silent Cries: Uncovering the Deep-Rooted Crisis of Child Abuse in Nigeria and the Role of the Media in Breaking the Cycle,” the event will spotlight one of the country’s most pressing yet often ignored challenges.
A statement jointly signed by the Chapel’s Chairman and Planning Committee Chairman, Comrades Abraham Akpabio and Joshua Uloko respectively has that, the symposium will be hosted under the distinguished auspices of His Eminence, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Ejigbo, Lagos, who will also deliver the keynote address.
Widely respected as a prophetic voice and humanitarian advocate, Primate Ayodele has consistently championed social justice and the protection of vulnerable groups. His presence underscores the need for faith-based voices to join the media, policymakers, and civil society in defending the rights of Nigerian children.
Child abuse in Nigeria has become a silent epidemic. From physical violence to sexual exploitation, trafficking, neglect, and harmful cultural practices, countless children suffer daily—often within homes, schools, and institutions meant to protect them. The consequences range from lifelong psychological trauma to loss of education and opportunities.
Despite existing laws, silence and complicity persist due to stigma, cultural practices, and weak enforcement of child protection measures.
The Press Week will therefore seek practical solutions, including:
- Recognizing early signs of abuse and strengthening community reporting mechanisms.
- Providing safe and confidential channels for victims to speak out.
- Empowering the media to expose abuse and drive national conversations.
- Mobilizing faith and cultural leaders to challenge harmful practices.
- Closing gaps in Nigeria’s child rights laws and ensuring swift justice for victims.
Panel discussions will feature leading voices in child rights advocacy, law, religion, traditional leadership, and civil society, with sessions on:
- Faith, Culture, and Abuse: When Tradition Fails the Child
- The Legal Disconnect: Are Nigeria’s Child Protection Laws Enough?
The NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel invites journalists, policymakers, civil society actors, and all stakeholders to join this landmark event and amplify the campaign for a Nigeria where every child is safe, heard, and protected.
