May 27: What You Should Know About Child Adoption In Nigeria

The federal government plans to review the child adoption regulations in the country, to improve the process and stop violence and other forms of abuse against children.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this at a press conference held with Save the Children International (SCI) ahead of the Children’s Day celebration on Monday, 26th May 2025 in Abuja.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the review will help protect children’s rights and welfare and make adoption more transparent, effective, and focused on the child.

She also said the government will soon introduce updated National Creche Guidelines to help regulate childcare centres and prevent abuse.

“We are establishing the Child Protection Knowledge and Data Centre. We are finalising the Child Protection Services structure, including formal protection, reporting, response, and rehabilitation,” she said.

“We are also promoting the approved six-month maternity leave for new mothers and two weeks’ paternity leave for new fathers.”

She said the government is also working to strengthen the Nigerian Children’s Parliament across the country.

“We recognise it as a vital platform for child participation, leadership, and advocacy on development issues.
The voices of our children matter, and we must amplify them in shaping policies that affect their present and future,” she said.

Duncan Harvey, Country Director of SCI, also spoke about the need to involve children in finding solutions to issues that affect them.

Mr Harvey said: “Children are not just victims; they are part of the solution. Support child-led platforms, peer support groups, safe spaces, and school clubs that encourage children to speak up and support one another.
Involve children in developing school rules and anti-bullying policies. Incorporate empathy, respect, and conflict resolution into the children’s syllabus.

engage children in feedback sessions and policy reviews to ensure their voices shape school culture and anti-bullying measures,” he said.

Child Adoption Rule In Nigeria

The major law that regulates the adoption process in Nigeria are the Child’s Rights Act and other state adoption laws.

The legal and regulatory framework for adoption revolves primarily around;

• Child’s Rights Act 2003 this is the principal legislation regulating adoption in Nigeria and It outlines the requirements one must meet in order to be qualified to adopt a child.
• (State) Adoption Laws
• Regulatory Agencies
• International Conventions
• Judicial Precedents

The act in Section 129 provides for the category of persons who may adopt a child in Nigeria.

From the provision:
The following persons may apply for an adoption order-

• a married couple where each of them has attained the age of twenty-five years, and
• there is an order authorizing them jointly to adopt a child; or
• a married person, if he has obtained the consent of his spouse, as required under section 132 of this Act; or
• a single person, ifhe has attained the age of thirty-five years, provided that the child to be adopted is of the same sex as the person adopting; or
• in all cases specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the adopter or adopters shall be persons found to be suitable to adopt the child in question by the appropriate investigating officers.

By law, anyone who wants to adopt a child must be at least 25 years old and must be at least 21 years older than the child. So, if you want to adopt a 10-year-old child, you must be at least 31 years old.

It is also important to note that people who are cohabiting or in same-sex relationships are not allowed to adopt children under Nigerian law.

Character and financial ability are also important in the adoption process.

The Child’s Rights Act says that the person applying must have good character and must have enough money and resources to take proper care of the child.

Getting Approval from the State Welfare Office

In most states, people who want to adopt a child must first write a formal request to the state welfare office. This request asks for permission to begin the adoption process. After sending the request, the welfare office invites the applicants for an interview. During this interview, the office checks if the applicants are fit to adopt a child.

Filing a Court Application

If the applicants pass the welfare office interview, they need to apply to a court for child adoption.

This application goes to the court registrar and must include documents like a marriage certificate, birth certificate or age declaration, passport photos, and a medical fitness report from a government hospital.

Home Background Check

After the court receives the application, it sends an order to the welfare office to carry out a background check on the applicants.

This investigation checks if the applicants are suitable to raise a child. At the same time, the court picks a guardian ad litem to protect the child’s interest during the process. The guardian acts like a probation officer and writes a report to the court after completing the investigation.

Welfare Officer’s Recommendation

The welfare officer will visit the applicants’ home several times to check how well the child is adjusting.

Once the officer believes the child is settled, they write a recommendation to the court based on their findings.

Court’s Final Decision

The court considers the adoptive parents’ plans to keep the child safe, healthy, and happy. If the court is satisfied, it gives an adoption order. If not, it can reject the application.

New Birth Certificate

When the court approves the adoption, the new parents must get a new birth certificate. This document officially names them as the child’s parents.