BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, JUNE 12, 2026/ 10:10AM

The Borno State House of Assembly has assured the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, of full legislative backing to strengthen implementation of the state’s Child Protection Law passed in 2021.

The assurance came on Thursday during a courtesy visit by CISLAC officials to the Assembly complex in Maiduguri.

CISLAC, an NGO focused on advocacy and capacity building, is implementing a child protection intervention across Nigeria with support from the European Union through a three-organisation consortium.

The initiative aims to close gaps in the enforcement of child protection laws, including Borno’s law which is still new compared to other states where similar legislation has existed for years.

Speaking during the visit, CISLAC Senior Programme Officer, Mohammed Murtala said the organisation was engaging lawmakers to promote awareness and encourage enforcement of the law at community level.

'We are aware that the law is still new in the state since it was passed in 2021. The support of legislators in ensuring that the law is fully implemented cannot be overemphasised,' Murtala said.

He noted that CISLAC had identified gaps affecting committees responsible for child protection and was working with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to establish required structures and oversight mechanisms.

He added that CISLAC is also supporting the creation of local government implementation committees to carry out duties provided by the law.

Murtala said members of the State House of Assembly had committed to supporting the process through legislative oversight and awareness campaigns in their constituencies.

Lawmakers also agreed to educate residents on reporting channels for child abuse cases and ways communities can protect children.

Responding, Hon. Bukar Modu, member representing Konduga LGA in the Assembly, assured CISLAC of the legislature’s support and reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to collaborate whenever needed.

He added that the Child Protection Law would help shield children from discrimination and abuse while improving access to education and healthcare.

Expected impact in Borno If the law is fully implemented in Borno State where children are among the most vulnerable group during and after the over a decade insurgency bedeviling the state, it will address urgent protection needs.

Children have been abducted by insurgents in schools and their communities, among others.

Full implementation will also reduce cases of gender based violence in our communities to a minimal level, and domestic abuse of children will also be reduced, among others.

The partnership between CISLAC and the Assembly is expected to boost monitoring of the law and deepen public understanding of child rights protections across Borno’s 27 LGAs.