By Lukman Olabiyi
The Lagos State Government has shut down four orphanages involved in illegal activities, including baby trafficking and unauthorized adoptions.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, during the annual ministerial press briefing held to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s sixth year in office.
According to the Commissioner, the affected facilities include God’s Time Orphanage in Igando, which was closed due to violations of the Child Rights Law, improper registration, and mismanagement.
Lifetime Changer Orphanage in FESTAC was specifically shut down for its involvement in trafficking babies. Other unnamed organisations were also found to be conducting adoption procedures without following legal protocols.
“We have officers who go out regularly and we receive credible information as a government to protect these children. Once we verify these reports, we take swift action. That’s why these facilities were shut down,” Ogunlende stated.
He urged orphanage operators to adhere strictly to the guidelines set by the Ministry and encouraged them to approach the Ministry for proper guidance in setting up and managing orphanages.
Despite these shutdowns, the Commissioner disclosed that the state has approved the establishment of more orphanages in the past year. A total of 68 orphanages were fully registered, while 45 others received provisional approval after undergoing rigorous screening to ensure they meet basic standards. These facilities are intended to support government-owned homes in providing care for vulnerable children.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment, Ogunlende said, “Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government is dedicated to raising children in safe and conducive environments where they can receive proper care and attention.”
The commissioner also highlighted significant support for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) over the past year, noting that 1,000 individuals received empowerment through financial support, skills acquisition, vocational tools, and healthcare access via the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).
Some key interventions included the disbursement of ₦30 million to 150 senior citizens with disabilities, 100 vulnerable PWDs, and several advocacy groups such as Dyslexia Nigeria, the National Association for the Blind, and the Down Syndrome Association.
In a bid to foster entrepreneurship among PWDs, 100 beneficiaries were trained and supported with business tools such as cookers, fish tanks, sewing machines, and freezers.
Civil servants with disabilities also received assistive equipment, including motorized wheelchairs, laptops with JAWS software, scooters, and prosthetic aids.
Further initiatives involved free oral care for children with disabilities, distribution of manual wheelchairs and assistive devices, renovation of inclusive schools, and provision of learning aids.
LASODA also organized events such as talent shows, quizzes, and an “Ability Expo” to showcase the talents of people with disabilities.
On youth empowerment, Ogunlende announced that over 85,000 young people benefited from various leadership, entrepreneurship, digital, and vocational training programs in the past year.
He spotlighted the LAG-UP Project, a tech-based empowerment initiative in partnership with GFA Technologies, which has trained 45,806 youths in over 84 digital and creative skills. So far, 23,305 participants have completed the training and earned certifications.
In vocational training, 4,042 youths — 3,200 females and 842 males — were equipped with skills in shoemaking, tailoring, carpentry, tiling, software development, and more, in collaboration with private sector partners.
He also noted the success of the IBILE Youth Academy, which trained 500 young leaders to promote leadership and reorientation across the state.