The Child Protection Network (CPN) in Lagos and Ogun states has been awarded a significant N50 million grant to enhance child protection services for vulnerable children in both regions. This funding, equally split between Lagos and Ogun, with N25 million allocated to each state, was presented at the SOS Children’s Village in Lagos on Tuesday.

Eghosa Erhumwunse, Country Director of SOS Children’s Villages, commended CPN for its dedication to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children across Nigeria. The grant is expected to positively impact around 130,000 children—70,000 in Ogun and 60,000 in Lagos.

In his remarks, Erhumwunse stressed the importance of community-based approaches to addressing issues such as gender-based violence, case management, and the establishment of child protection committees. He also highlighted the critical role of advocacy for family courts that handle child-related cases and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) initiatives.

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“We encourage you to engage communities, advocate for children’s rights, and work towards changing harmful cultural practices. Awareness and sensitization are key to protecting children,” Erhumwunse stated.

He further emphasized SOS’s commitment to transparency and accountability, urging CPN to strengthen its internal mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation. The one-year partnership will involve stringent oversight to ensure that the funds are used efficiently and for the intended purposes.

Adelopo Ayodeji, Chief Programme Officer at SOS Lagos, thanked CPN for their consistent dedication to child protection and viewed the grant as a significant opportunity for impactful collaboration. CPN coordinators from both states expressed their gratitude and commitment to making the most of the funding to benefit children in need, vowing to uphold the trust placed in them.