CRC/C/NGA/CO/3-4
53. The Committee recommends that the State party provide further information
about the implementation of article 21 of the Convention in its next periodic report.
The State party is strongly encouraged to harmonize national laws on domestic
adoption with the Child Rights Act and ensure their compliance with the Convention,
including with kafala. While recalling that inter-country adoption is a measure of last
resort for children without families, the State party is urged:
(a) To ratify the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and
Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption;
(b) To continue its efforts to eradicate the existence of “baby farms”, including
by concluding its mapping exercise on “baby farms”, ensuring the release and
rescue of child victims of this practice and investigating and prosecuting those
responsible.
Abuse and neglect
54. While noting the acknowledgment of the State party about the abuse of children in
street situations, especially sexual harassment, and in the family setting, the Committee
regrets the lack of information about the extent and forms of child abuse and about the
legislative and administrative framework in place to prevent and protect children from all
forms of violence, abuse and neglect.
55. The State party is urged:
(a) To put in place an effective system of data collection and monitoring cases of
violence, abuse and neglect of children;
(b) To establish an effective coordination mechanism between authorities
competent to receive and investigate child abuse cases, including the special
units, pilot juvenile complaint desks and human rights desks of the Nigerian
Police and the Special Rapporteur on Child Rights of the Nigerian Human
Rights Commission;
(c) To undertake comprehensive training and sensitization programmes for
health professionals, law enforcement personnel, judges and prosecutors on the
prevention, protection and prosecution of child abuse cases.
Basic health and welfare (arts. 6; 18, para. 3; 23-24; 26-27, paras. 1-3, of the
Convention)
Children with disabilities
56. The Committee welcomes the frank acknowledgment of the State party with respect to
the significant challenges facing the country in protecting and ensuring the rights of
children with disabilities. It notes with appreciation information about the ongoing survey
on children with disabilities, supported by UNICEF. While further noting information on
special education facilities for children with disabilities, the Committee is concerned at the
regional disparities in the availability of such facilities. The Committee is furthermore
concerned at the lack of information on follow-up on its previous recommendations relating
to children with disabilities (CRC/C/15/Add.257, paras. 46-47), in particular that no
comprehensive policy on children with disabilities has been developed. The Committee
furthermore notes the use of offensive and derogatory definitions and categories employed
by the State party when referring to children with disabilities.
57. The Committee urges the State to take measures towards the ratification of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to take all necessary
measures to implement its earlier recommendations regarding children with
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