Abuja: Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called for stronger legislative measures and coordinated action to combat child recruitment in armed conflicts across Nigeria. Sulaiman made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a Policy Dialogue on Strategies Against Child Recruitment in Armed Conflicts in Nigeria, organised by the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis, in collaboration with the Exeter Centre for Research on Africa, University of Exeter.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sulaiman, represented by the Director of Studies, Dr Ashimiyu Abiola, described the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts as one of the most disturbing manifestations of insecurity, noting that it threatened human rights, national development, and peace-building efforts. He highlighted that the exploitation of children in situations of armed conflict remains one of the most troubling dimensions of insecurity in Nigeria and the wider region.
Sulaiman urged lawmakers to strengthen legal frameworks that criminalised child recruitment, improve oversight of security institutions, and support agencies responsible for child protection. He emphasized the importance of inclusive policies addressing poverty, exclusion, and other socio-economic factors driving child vulnerability to reduce recruitment risks.
The dialogue provided an opportunity to bridge gaps between research findings, policy development, and legislative action on child protection issues. Sulaiman identified community resilience as a key preventive strategy, stressing that stronger local institutions, quality education, and social safety nets could reduce children’s vulnerability.
Sulaiman also advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, social services, civil society organisations, and international partners to address the problem comprehensively. He further emphasised the need for rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, noting that children associated with armed groups should primarily be treated as victims.
Expressing optimism, Sulaiman stated that Nigeria could overcome the challenge through political will, institutional capacity, and sustained collaboration among relevant stakeholders. He reaffirmed NILDS’ commitment to supporting the National Assembly and other stakeholders in developing legislative responses that promote security, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen democracy.
Sulaiman commended the organisers for the dialogue, describing the partnership as a model for evidence-based responses to security challenges. In her presentation, Prof. Stacy Hynd, Co-director of the Exeter Centre for Research on Africa, examined the experiences of children in armed conflicts and liberation struggles across Africa and other regions, highlighting the roles children played during wars, the hardships they endured, and the challenges they faced after conflicts ended.
Also, the representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Mona Alka, in her goodwill message, stressed that preventing child recruitment required a holistic approach involving legislators, policymakers, communities, families, and development partners. She noted that children are recruited where vulnerability exists, and therefore, responses must address poverty, exclusion, displacement, family separation, and weak protection systems.
Present at the event were Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi, representative of Sen. Ireti Kingibe, security agencies, security experts, and Dr Hakeem Onapajo, who presented a paper on child recruitment by terrorist groups.