The Lagos State Government has commenced the 2026 Safeguarding and Child Protection Week, calling for stronger efforts to protect children from abuse and provide safe channels for them to report concerns.
The five-day programme, themed “My Silence Ends Here”, began on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the LASUBEB Hall, Maryland, Lagos, and will run until Friday, September 25.
The initiative is being implemented across the state’s six education districts and is expected to engage more than 1,500 children on child safeguarding, protection and awareness, while encouraging them to speak up against abuse.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stressed the importance of creating an environment where children can report abuse without fear.
She said adults and institutions must take responsibility for listening to children, responding appropriately and acting promptly when concerns are raised.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, reaffirmed the importance of providing safe and supportive learning environments for children.
Shittu noted that schools had a critical role to play in safeguarding children and urged education stakeholders to remain vigilant and responsive to concerns relating to child abuse and protection.
He commended the initiative for placing child safeguarding at the centre of discussions and called for sustained collaboration among schools, families, communities and relevant institutions to protect children.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described child protection as a collective responsibility involving government, schools, parents, communities and other stakeholders.
She encouraged children to speak up whenever they feel unsafe, assuring them that their voices matter and that they should not suffer abuse in silence.
Other goodwill messages at the opening ceremony were delivered by the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary for Education District II, Mr Sanni Layemo; the TG/PS for Education District VI, Mrs Mojisola Christiana Yusuff; and the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye.
The programme forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence and strengthen the protection of vulnerable persons across the state.
