The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), has called for stronger enforcement of the Child Rights Act and its adoption in all states to protect girls from child marriage, harmful practices and barriers to education.
Badejo-Okusanya made the call in a statement on Sunday to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, describing the protection of girls as a matter of human rights, justice and the rule of law.
She noted that despite existing laws designed to safeguard children, many girls continued to face challenges that restricted their choices and prevented them from reaching their full potential.
According to her, the gap between the rights guaranteed by law and the protection girls receive remains a major concern, stressing that legislation can only be effective when it reaches the children it is meant to protect.
The NBA president called for improved implementation of the Child Rights Act, its domestication in every state and access to justice regardless of a family’s financial situation.
She reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting girls and working with relevant institutions to bridge the gap between legal provisions and the realities faced by children.
Badejo-Okusanya also urged governments, communities and individuals to take responsibility for safeguarding the rights of the girl child. She called on governments to strengthen child-protection institutions and urged communities to reject harmful practices, regardless of how deeply rooted they were.
She further encouraged individuals to speak up, report abuse and refuse to ignore violations of girls’ rights.
The NBA president stressed that every girl deserved the opportunity to grow, enjoy legal protection and fulfil her potential.
She added that protecting girls should not be regarded as an act of charity but as an obligation to them and to the country’s future, calling for renewed efforts to ensure that their rights were protected in practice and not merely recognised by law.
