NBA, UNICEF launch free legal services for vulnerable children

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have joined forces to provide free legal services for vulnerable children in Nigeria. The collaboration was unveiled at a gathering that included key figures from the justice and child protection sectors such as the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Law School's Director-General, and representatives of various organizations.

NBA President Afam Osigwe emphasized that the partnership aims to ensure no child is denied access to justice due to poverty, vulnerability, disability, or other reasons. The initiative plans to mobilize lawyers nationwide to offer legal protection and competent representation for children facing rights violations. This includes specialized training for participating lawyers in child-sensitive justice and connecting them to a nationwide network of pro bono services.

The NBA president called on legal practitioners to actively participate in the initiative, describing pro bono service for children as a defining culture for the legal profession. Both NBA and UNICEF highlighted their commitment to strengthening child justice in Nigeria, with UNICEF's representative, Wafaa Saeed, stressing that the partnership addresses critical issues like detention without legal representation, delays in case management, and weak referral systems.