The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Lagos State Council, today hosted a National Discourse on Child Abuse at Primate Ayodele Estate, Oke Afa, with leading voices, including Ambassador Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi, joining the campaign to curb the rising wave of child abuse across the country.

The symposium, themed “Silent Cries: Uncovering the Deep-Rooted Crisis of Child Abuse in Nigeria and the Role of the Media in Breaking the Cycle,” provided a platform for media practitioners, legal experts, faith leaders, and civil society groups to address the devastating realities of abuse and advocate for urgent reforms.

Ambassador Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi, a journalist, youth advocate, and President of the Societal Concerns Organization, reaffirmed her commitment to using media advocacy and civic engagement to protect the rights of children. She stressed that silence and stigma must no longer be tolerated in cases of abuse and urged the media to amplify survivor voices while holding perpetrators accountable.

Delivering the keynote address, His Eminence, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, described child abuse as “a moral and spiritual crisis” that demands urgent intervention from families, faith institutions, and community leaders.

Also speaking, Barrister Queen Oniwon, legal practitioner and guest speaker, presented a paper on “The Legal Disconnect: Are Nigeria’s Child Protection Laws Enough?” She examined loopholes in Nigeria’s legal system, pointing to weak enforcement and cultural barriers as major setbacks to child protection. She called for stronger implementation of child rights laws and urgent legal reforms.

Discussions at the discourse revealed that child abuse in Nigeria ranges from physical and sexual violence to neglect, trafficking, and harmful cultural practices. Participants emphasized that the crisis, often hidden in silence, has left many children with lifelong trauma and denied them education and opportunities.

Resolutions from the event included:

• Breaking the culture of silence through media advocacy.
• Strengthening community reporting and early response mechanisms.
• Providing safe spaces and confidential channels for survivors.
• Mobilizing cultural and religious leaders to challenge harmful practices.
• Closing gaps in child rights laws and ensuring swift justice for offenders.

With voices like Ambassador Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi lending strong advocacy to the campaign, the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel reaffirmed its determination to use journalism as a powerful tool to protect children and push for systemic change.

The National Discourse at Primate Ayodele Estate, Oke Afa ended with a call to action: for every stakeholder—families, communities, faith leaders, government, and the media—to unite in building a Nigeria where every child is safe, valued, and protected.