The Socio-Economic Drivers of Child Abuse and Neglect in and its Implications for Children's Rights in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the socio-economic determinants of child abuse and neglect in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and their implications for children's rights. Anchored in the Social Disorganisation Theory, the research adopted a mixed-methods design to explore how poverty, unemployment, overcrowding, low parental education, and cultural norms fuel systemic child maltreatment. Empirical data from 180 participants across four local government areas revealed a high prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, with poverty and urban stress as strong predictors. Interviews with stakeholders highlighted weak enforcement of the Child Rights Act and cultural acceptance of corporal punishment as major barriers to change. Findings showed that emotional and physical abuse are most prevalent, exacerbated by inadequate healthcare, exploitative labour, and poor legal resources. Despite the domestication of child protection laws in Oyo State, enforcement remains ineffective due to poor institutional capacity, limited awareness, and resistance from traditional and religious authorities. The study concluded that child rights violations in Ibadan are deeply embedded in structural inequality and normalised cultural practices. It recommended culturally grounded public education, legal literacy campaigns, capacity-building for welfare agencies, and the integration of child protection into social policy. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of child vulnerability in urban Nigeria, providing actionable insights for building rights-respecting communities.