*Trains 4,000 youths, rescues 200 children in one year
The Lagos State Government has sealed off five orphanages in the past year for offences ranging from baby trafficking to flagrant violations of the state’s Child Rights Law of 2015.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Ikeja on Tuesday, as part of activities marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.
Ogunlende said the closures formed part of the government’s broader efforts to clamp down on illegal operations and protect vulnerable children in care facilities across the state.
He said, “We have a duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, which is why our officers work round the clock.
“Any facility found engaging in unwholesome activities, including baby trafficking, will be decisively dealt with. We have the records.”
According to him, a dedicated monitoring and enforcement unit within the ministry conducts routine inspections to ensure compliance with operational standards in orphanages and similar institutions.
“Our monitoring team is constantly in the field, ensuring that these homes operate within the ambit of the law,” Ogunlende stated.
Beyond enforcement, the commissioner also highlighted the ministry’s social intervention programmes, noting that over 4,000 youths had benefitted from vocational training initiatives within the last year.
“We are committed to empowering our young people through targeted skills acquisition programmes. Training is provided in vocations such as tailoring, fish farming, and ICT. Participants are free to choose any area of interest and become self-reliant.”
He further revealed that the ministry had rescued and rehabilitated over 200 children from situations of abuse, neglect, or street life during the same period.
“Each rescued child represents a life saved from exploitation or hardship. That is what drives our commitment,” he said.
Ogunlende reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s zero-tolerance stance on child rights violations, vowing that enforcement efforts would be intensified in the months ahead.
“We will continue to act swiftly and decisively against any individual or facility found endangering the welfare of children in Lagos State,” he added.
