Nigeria Trains Prosecutors to Stop School Violence

Nigerian officials are stepping up their fight against violence in schools with a groundbreaking training program that puts child protection first.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, with support from the European Union and International IDEA, launched a training initiative this week in Abuja to help law enforcement and justice officials better prosecute school-related gender-based violence cases. Officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force joined child protection advocates to learn new strategies.

The training focuses on a Standard Operating Procedure developed in 2024 that guides how to report, investigate, and prosecute abuse cases in schools. Participants will share their knowledge with colleagues across their agencies, creating a growing network of trained professionals ready to protect children.

School-related gender violence remains a serious problem in Nigeria, where children face sexual harassment, bullying, corporal punishment, and other forms of abuse. Girls and vulnerable groups are hit hardest, often experiencing long-term emotional and educational consequences.

Yewande Gbola-Awopetu from the Federal Ministry of Justice emphasized that the training creates more than just skilled prosecutors. It builds a coordinated network of agencies working together to investigate and hold offenders accountable.

The Federal Ministry of Education has already distributed the procedure guide to all 115 Federal Unity Schools nationwide. School principals received direct training on implementation, recognizing that teachers and administrators play a crucial role in spotting and reporting abuse.

Why This Inspires

This program shows what happens when institutions choose to prioritize children's safety over silence. By equipping officials with clear procedures and strong prosecution skills, Nigeria is sending a powerful message that violence against children will not be tolerated.

The four-year EU-funded program runs through 2029 and will strengthen legal frameworks while improving access to quality services for survivors. Beyond Abuja, the initiative will expand to Benue, Oyo, and Kaduna states, reaching more communities.

Future training phases will include teachers, caregivers, and other school staff who work directly with students every day. Sexual Assault Referral Centers are already being established in hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory to provide immediate support for survivors.

The program represents a turning point in how Nigeria addresses violence in educational settings. Instead of treating individual cases in isolation, the country is building a comprehensive system where every agency knows its role and works together seamlessly.

Every child deserves to learn in safety, and Nigeria is building the network to make that happen.