The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has documented 86,633 child rights violations across Nigeria between January 2024 and January 2025, according to its latest report.

The violations, recorded through the NHRC's dashboard and analyzed by Saturday Punch, included various forms of abuse such as child labour, sexual abuse, trafficking, abandonment, and denial of education. Other documented violations include killings, violence, assault, torture, harmful traditional practices, child abduction, and educational rights violations.

Monthly Breakdown of Violations

According to the NHRC dashboard, June and July 2024 recorded the highest number of child rights violations, with both months reporting 16,125 cases each. September 2024 followed closely with 14,482 cases. In contrast, January and February 2024 recorded significantly lower figures, with just 56 and 374 cases respectively.

For June 2024, the breakdown of violations included right to education (1,608), child abandonment (1,667), sexual abuse (1,577), child trafficking (1,259), child marriage (1,345), child labour (1,484), other forms of child abuse (1,740), access to children (1,624), child custody (1,923), and right to survival and development (1,898).

July 2024 showed a similar pattern with right to education (1,008), child abandonment (1,825), sexual abuse (977), child trafficking (659), child marriage (745), child labour (884), other forms of child abuse (1,140), access to children (1,024), child custody (1,323), and right to survival and development (1,298).

Even in months with lower overall figures, serious violations were recorded. January documented 22 cases of trafficking, 12 cases of torture, 12 kidnappings, and 10 killings. February's breakdown included child abandonment (339), trafficking (19), child marriage (3), rape and defilement (12), and harmful traditional practices (1).

Increased Awareness Leading to More Reports

Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, attributed the rise in reported cases to increased public awareness of child rights and the availability of channels to lodge complaints. He noted that as citizens become more aware of their rights being abused, they are more likely to approach the commission to report violations and seek solutions.

The NHRC dashboard compiles data from complaints lodged at its 38 offices across Nigeria, as well as human rights violations monitored through the commission's Human Rights Observatory.

This comprehensive data collection system has enabled the commission to track and respond to child rights violations more effectively, providing a clearer picture of the challenges facing children across the country.