Forward Looking or Backward Stepping: Evaluating Child Protection from Sexual Exploitation in Nigeria

Author: Ogunniran, Iyabode

Abstract: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Nigeria is a signatory) has elevated children’s rights as well as given it universal standards. The convention provides for child protection such as the right to be protected from sexual exploitation including prostitution, trafficking, and pornography. Against the backdrop of the present structure of Nigeria in terms of Legislative List, incorporation of treaties, and courts, this article evaluates Nigerian legislation to determine the extent of child protection in these three areas. It argues that the Nigerian criminal law provisions on child prostitution are archaic; however, it has been complemented by the recent Child Rights Act (CRA). The Trafficking in Persons Law 2005 and the CRA have recorded progress. The Cybercrimes Act 2015, if adequately implemented, and the CRA can protect against child pornography. The author proposes reorganization of the Nigerian structure and law reforms. She recommends multidimensional solutions, including targeting the root causes of exploitation as forward-looking strategies to optimally protect Nigerian children.

Keywords: Child pornography, child prostitution, child trafficking, interventions, law reforms