NBA, UNICEF launch N120m to provide free legal services for children

NBA, UNICEF launch N120m to provide free legal services for children

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have launched a N120 million partnership to provide pro bono legal services for children across Nigeria.

The launch was held at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Monday, with key actors in Nigeria’s justice and child protection sectors in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Afam Osigwe, NBA president, said the partnership would mobilise lawyers nationwide to provide quality pro bono representation for children, and strengthen referral pathways between justice and child protection actors.

Osigwe added that the scheme will also build the capacity of legal professionals to handle child-sensitive cases and promote a justice system that places the best interests of children at its core.

He said children who are victims of violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, trafficking and child marriage, as well as those in conflict with the law, often find themselves without adequate legal support.

“For these children, lack of legal representation is a failure on our part,” Osigwe said.

“Children, we should never forget, are the leaders of tomorrow.

“We can’t have people who become leaders of tomorrow if we don’t invest in them, if we don’t protect them, if we don’t have a society sensitive to their plights and the challenges they may face, if we don’t have a legal profession that does its best to ensure that when they need it, we are not to be found wanting, we are there to ensure that they get the best.”

He urged every NBA branch to establish or strengthen pro bono schemes focused on children and encouraged law firms to dedicate part of their professional time to child protection cases.

“This partnership between the NBA and UNICEF is to the tune of 120 million naira, and I know that a successful implementation of this program will lead to more funding from UNICEF and also increase the capacity of lawyers to act in various ways to protect the rights of children,” he said.

In her remarks, Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF country representative, who was represented by Natalie McCauley, chief child protection at UNICEF Nigeria, said the partnership seeks to ensure that children in contact with the law are protected, represented and supported throughout the justice process, regardless of their background, location or economic circumstances.

Saeed said children continue to face barriers when interacting with the justice system, including detention without legal representation, lengthy delays in case management, limited access to diversion opportunities, weak referral systems and inadequate support services.

“These challenges underscore the urgent need for coordinated action and stronger investment in child-friendly justice systems,” she said.

“At UNICEF, we firmly believe that access to justice is not simply a legal issue. It is a child protection issue, a development issue, and a matter of human dignity. Every child, whether a victim, survivor, witness, or child alleged to have committed an offence, deserves fair treatment, due process, and the opportunity to have their voice heard.

“This is why the partnership we launch today is so important.

“We envision a Nigeria where every child has access to legal assistance from the earliest point of contact with the justice system; where lawyers, social workers, police officers, correctional personnel, and judicial officers work together seamlessly; where diversion and rehabilitation are prioritised whenever appropriate; and where the best interests of the child guide every decision.”

She said the NBA’s network of legal practitioners and professional structures could help institutionalise child-sensitive legal representation and establish sustainable pathways for pro bono services across Nigeria.

She also urged state chief judges to issue practice directions requiring mandatory age determination and consideration of diversion measures when children are brought before courts for arraignment.

Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, who was represented by Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, director, criminal justice and reforms department in the federal ministry of justice, pledged the federal government’s commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework for child justice.

The AGF said Nigeria had established important foundations for child justice through the Child Rights Act 2003, which is currently undergoing legislative review to reflect current realities.