By Adenike Lawal
To protect children across Nigeria’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has unveiled a strategic commitment to end all forms of violence against children by 2030 through the adoption of the globally recognized Pathfinding Model.
Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, made the announcement at the Regional Ministerial Meeting of the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, held in Abuja.
She revealed that the administration is set to launch the FCT Community Network for Ending Violence Against Children—a grassroots platform to coordinate action across sectors such as health, education, justice, and community development.
“This is not just about infrastructure. It is about investing in the lives of our women and children,” Benjamins-Laniyi stated, adding that the initiative reflects the broader human capital development vision of Minister Nyesom Wike’s administration.
The new approach, she explained, is data-driven and frames child protection as both a moral duty and an economic investment.
With May 23 marking a decade since the FCT domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, she emphasized the urgent need to fully implement the law and embed children in the policy-making process.
Key highlights of the conference included the unveiling of the “Investment Case Toolkit” by Dr. Najat M’jid, UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children.
The toolkit provides governments with tools to quantify the economic benefits of ending child abuse and mobilize stronger budgetary support.
As global experts lent their voices to the cause, the FCT emerged as a regional model for child-centered governance, charting a path forward with determination, vision, and a renewed sense of responsibility.
