Follow Us on Google
By Bianca Iboma -Emefu
Child safety experts have demanded clearer safeguarding standards in schools and heightened vigilance over children’s online activities, warning that new forms of exploitation are expanding the risks young people face.
The call was made at the annual child safety outreach organised by Adejumoke Sangolana, founder of SafeKids Foundation. Speakers stressed that protection must be built into everyday systems rather than activated only after harm occurs.
Engr. Jamiu Badmos, founder of FESHD, said schools need formal safety principles, vulnerability assessments and risk-management processes. “Safeguarding failure is a system failure,” he stated, urging a shift from reactive responses to preventive and predictive approaches. He also linked mental wellness—including sleep, attention and physical activity—to the broader safety agenda.
Mrs. Bolanle Edwards, founder of Strap and Safe Child Foundation, highlighted digital threats, noting that children increasingly encounter unscrupulous individuals beyond parental or teacher supervision. Her comments underscored that traditional safeguarding must now include online spaces.
Other News
Global figures cited at the event reinforced the urgency. The World Health Organization estimates that up to one billion children aged 2–17 experience physical, emotional or sexual violence each year. UNICEF data show that about 20 million children in 21 countries experienced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year.
Sangolana explained that SafeKids began by promoting a safety book but expanded after recognising that adults responsible for children also require training. The third annual outreach therefore combined lectures with practical sessions on first aid, CPR and fire safety for children, parents, teachers and school staff.
Deji Oyinloye, a sustainability professional, added that everyday environments and objects—toys, substances and physical spaces—can expose children to hazards. He distinguished hazard from risk and stressed managing exposure to levels that are as low as reasonably practicable.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where under-five mortality remains the highest globally and children face ongoing challenges of malnutrition, healthcare access and protection, speakers insisted that safety must go beyond survival to include structured standards and continuous vigilance offline and online.
Sangolana said participant feedback will shape future programmes, including a planned fourth edition. The consistent message was clear: protecting children requires standards, risk awareness and proactive systems rather than reactions after incidents occur.
