In a bold move to spotlight one of Nigeria’s most disturbing yet underreported issues, the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council will kick off its 2025 Annual Press Week with a powerful national symposium on child abuse.
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 is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Lagos. The keynote address will be delivered by His Eminence, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Ejigbo.
According to a statement jointly signed by Chapel Chairman Comrade Abraham Akpabio and Planning Committee Chairman Comrade Joshua Uloko, Primate Ayodele’s involvement reflects the growing call for faith-based advocacy in addressing social ills. Known for his outspokenness on justice and humanitarian causes, the Primate is expected to challenge both media professionals and policymakers to act decisively against the growing epidemic of child abuse in the country.
A National Crisis in the Shadows
Child abuse in Nigeria continues to thrive in silence. From sexual exploitation and domestic violence to child trafficking, neglect, and harmful cultural practices, millions of children face daily threats—often from those meant to protect them.
Despite the existence of child protection laws, poor enforcement, societal stigma, and cultural silence have made it difficult to hold perpetrators accountable.
Press Week for Purpose
The Lagos NUJ Press Week 2025 aims not just to raise awareness, but to provide practical solutions, including:
Identifying early signs of abuse and promoting timely community intervention
Establishing safe reporting mechanisms for victims
Equipping journalists to investigate and report abuse cases ethically
Engaging faith and cultural leaders to confront harmful norms
Strengthening child protection laws and ensuring swift justice for offenders
The event will also feature panel discussions with experts in law, civil society, religious institutions, and traditional leadership. Notable sessions include:
1. “Faith, Culture, and Abuse: When Tradition Fails the Child”
2. “The Legal Disconnect: Are Nigeria’s Child Protection Laws Enough?”
The NUJ Lagos Correspondents’ Chapel has extended invitations to journalists, government agencies, civil society organizations, and stakeholders in child welfare to be part of this crucial national conversation.
With Primate Ayodele at the helm, the Chapel is setting the tone for a media-led movement toward a Nigeria where every child is protected, heard, and valued.