The national president of the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Dr. Gabriel Oyediji, has disclosed that no fewer than 14 million children are currently residing in motherless and orphanage homes across the country. He made this revelation during the launch of the Kwara State chapter of ASOHON in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Majority in Private Homes
Speaking on Thursday in Ilorin, Oyediji stated that over 14 million children are scattered across orphanage and motherless homes in Nigeria. He hinted that 95 percent of this figure are in private homes rather than government-sponsored facilities. Addressing a two-day training seminar on the Children First Software, he noted that private homes have been carelessly abandoned by the government, leaving the children's schooling, feeding, and accommodation to the homes, thereby complicating their existing challenges.
He regretted that governments do not care about the operators, saying, "Let the government realise that where there is effort, there is bound to be faults." He appealed to the government and society not to overwhip their faults.
Operators in Police Custody
Oyediji also hinted that five home operators are currently in police custody in Minna, Niger State, due to poor documentation and police relationship and approval. According to him, "Please, let us not go against the government. Some of us run homes without knowing the laws guiding them." He stated that philanthropists have lost trust and confidence in homes because of more negative stories about them than positive ones, noting that only courage and passion keep them in operation.
Children First Software Launch
In her welcome address, the Kwara State chapter Chairperson, Christie Omolehin, said the Children First Software would address longstanding challenges associated with poor and paper-based record-keeping in orphanages and homes. She explained that the platform would help operators properly document children's information, monitor their welfare, and reduce cases of abuse and trafficking.
Tracing the history of ASOHON, she recalled that the association began in Lagos in 2008 with five orphanage operators seeking solutions to challenges confronting their humanitarian activities before its formal inauguration in 2015. She added that Kwara State reconnected with the national body last year following efforts by the current national leadership.
Commissioner's Remarks
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Social Development, Hajiya Mariam Nnafatima Imam, stressed the importance of capacity building for caregivers and operators handling vulnerable children. She said quality child care requires not only compassion but also proper training, improved management skills, and adherence to child protection standards.
The commissioner identified inadequate funding, poor facilities, and rising operational costs as some of the major challenges affecting orphanages and homes across the state. She appealed to government agencies, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and development partners to support the initiative financially to improve the standard of care available to vulnerable children. She maintained that investing in the training and empowerment of orphanage operators would contribute significantly to building a safer and more compassionate society.
