Lagos Moves to Strengthen Child-Friendly Justice with Diversion Centres

The Lagos State Bureau of the Public Defender, BPD, has taken its advocacy for the establishment of diversion programme centres for children in conflict with the law to Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council Development Area.

The advocacy visit, conducted in partnership with UNICEF, seeks to encourage local councils to take ownership of diversion programmes that provide alternatives to formal prosecution while prioritising rehabilitation and the protection of children’s rights.

A delegation from the bureau, led by Deputy Director, S. O. Ladipo, visited the council alongside the BPD’s UNICEF Programme Officer, Gloria C. Odimba, and other officials.

The team urged the council to support the establishment of diversion centres as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen child-friendly justice administration in Lagos.

According to the bureau, the initiative is designed to limit children’s exposure to the formal criminal justice system by providing interventions focused on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment.

The campaign is part of the bureau’s collaboration with UNICEF to expand diversion programmes across local councils in the state.

Prior to the visit to Ajeromi-Ifelodun, the BPD and UNICEF team had carried out similar advocacy visits to Alimosho and Lagos Mainland local councils as part of the statewide campaign.