LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORKS FOR THE PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES, GAPS, AND PROSPECTS

This study examines the legal and policy frameworks for the protection of vulnerable children in Nigeria, assessing the extent to which national and international instruments safeguard their rights and welfare. Key legal frameworks, including the Child Rights Act 2003, the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), the Criminal and Penal Codes, the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law, the Nigeria Labour Act, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, are analysed alongside international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). The study highlights the multi-dimensional nature of child vulnerability in Nigeria, including poverty, displacement, harmful cultural practices, and inadequate enforcement of child protection laws. Despite the existence of comprehensive legal frameworks, gaps persist due to weak institutional capacity, uneven domestication of laws, and limited public awareness. The paper recommends strengthening legislative provisions, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, promoting public education on child rights, and fostering collaborative partnerships among government agencies, civil society, and international organizations. The findings underscore the need for a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to ensure the effective protection and welfare of Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.