The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a nationwide Child Protection Project aimed at promoting child-friendly justice and improving access to legal representation for children and young persons in conflict with the law.
The initiative will see the establishment of NBA Legal Aid Desks in designated police stations across selected priority states to ensure that no child is detained without prompt access to legal representation and the guarantees of a fair hearing.
In a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association said it had commenced engagement with the Inspector-General of Police to secure the support and collaboration of the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the project’s implementation. It noted that rollout would begin in the selected states after the necessary approvals are obtained.
According to the NBA, the project will be implemented in phases through both physical and virtual engagements, with the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) providing capacity-building programmes to equip legal practitioners with the skills required for child-sensitive legal representation.
The association added that its National Secretariat would work closely with NBA branches in the priority states by providing guidance and implementation tools to ensure the project’s effective delivery.
Osigwe called on members of the NBA to actively support the initiative by participating in training programmes, collaborating with justice sector institutions, and volunteering to serve through the Legal Aid Desks where required.
He said the project underscores the legal profession’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, strengthening access to justice, and upholding the rule of law across the country.
