Lagos shuts orphanages over child trafficking, empowers youths, PWDs

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Government has shut down four orphanages over allegations of child trafficking, illegal adoptions, and non-compliance with regulatory procedures. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, disclosed this during the annual ministerial press briefing to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s sixth year in office.

Ogunlende said the affected homes, including God’s Time Orphanage in Igando and Life Time Changer Orphanage in FESTAC, were found guilty of violating child rights laws and engaging in illegal practices. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children, urging orphanage operators to comply with established guidelines.

He revealed that within the past year, 68 orphanages were fully registered, while 45 others received provisional approval following rigorous screening. These approvals aim to complement state-run facilities in providing care for abandoned and vulnerable children.

The commissioner reiterated that only the Ministry has the authority to place children in orphanages and warned against bypassing proper adoption procedures. He also announced that over 1,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) had been empowered by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) through financial aid, skills training, and access to healthcare.

Key interventions for PWDs included a ₦30 million disbursement to 150 senior citizens and 100 vulnerable individuals, as well as support for advocacy groups like Dyslexia Nigeria and the Down Syndrome Association. Other beneficiaries received business tools, assistive devices, and vocational training in partnership with private sector organizations.

Ogunlende noted that civil servants with disabilities were given motorized wheelchairs, laptops with JAWS software, and prosthetics funding. Additionally, inclusive schools were rehabilitated and equipped with learning aids to enhance educational access for children with special needs.

On youth empowerment, the commissioner said over 85,000 young people were trained in leadership, vocational, and digital skills across the state. He highlighted the LAG-UP project, a partnership with GFA Technologies, which has enrolled over 45,000 youths in tech and creative skills programs, with more than 23,000 already certified.

He also pointed to the success of the IBILE Youth Academy, which recently trained 500 young leaders. Ogunlende reaffirmed the state’s commitment to inclusive development under the THEMES+ agenda, ensuring that all Lagosians, regardless of background or ability, benefit from government programs.