Orphanage Owners Decry Poor Policies, Lack of Awareness, Funding, Others

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The President of the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Rev. Gabriel Oyediji, has revealed that inadequate policies, lack of awareness, insufficient funding, and limited capacity-building for foster parents and caregivers has remained the existential challenges to foster care in Nigeria.

Oyediji, who stated this yesterday in Abuja during a two-day seminar with theme: ‘From vulnerability to stability: Time to strengthen foster care in Nigeria’, said to tackle the challenges, legal frameworks must be strengthened, capacity building for parents and caregivers must be enhanced, as well as public awareness and advocacy.

In partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, child protection advocates and stakeholders in alternative care, the national president said research and global best practices has shown that children thrive best in families where they experience love, belonging, and consistent emotional support which the foster care presents. 

Including viable alternative in offering children a stable and nurturing home environment while ensuring that their rights, dignity, and well-being is upheld.

He noted that as a nation, significant progress in addressing the challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children has been made, however, acknowledgement needs to be done, particularly in fostering a robust and effective family-based care system that guarantees stability, love, and holistic development for every child.

According to him, “Across Nigeria, millions of children are orphaned or separated from their families due to various circumstances, including poverty, conflict, abuse, and abandonment.

“While orphanages and children’s homes have played an essential role in providing temporary shelter and care, we must recognise that institutional care is not the ultimate solution.

“Research and global best practices have shown that children thrive best in a family environment where they experience love, belonging, and consistent emotional support.

“Foster care presents a viable alternative to institutional care, offering children a stable and nurturing home environment while ensuring their rights, dignity, and well-being are uphe

“Yet, despite its benefits, foster care remains underdeveloped in Nigeria due to systemic challenges such as inadequate policies, lack of awareness, insufficient funding, and limited capacity-building for foster parents and caregivers.”