LAGOS, NIGERIA — In a significant step towards strengthening child protection in schools, the Center for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) has advanced the Child Rights Ambassadors Forum (CRAF) in four secondary schools across Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The Forum was established at Havannah College, Igando; Ipaja Junior Grammar School, Ipaja; Alimosho Junior Grammar School,Egbeda; and Dom Grace School, Idimu to equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills needed to promote children's rights, support their peers, and contribute to creating safer school environments.

The initiative is implemented with support from The Freedom Fund and funding from the United States Department of State under the Programme to Address Exploitative Child Domestic Work in Lagos State.

Building Young Ambassadors for Child Rights

At the heart of the initiative is a specially developed Child Rights Manual, designed by CAPRIGHTS-VP to guide student ambassadors in understanding children's rights, safeguarding principles, personal safety, and available support systems.

Working in collaboration with school counsellors, CAPRIGHTS-VP facilitators delivered engaging training sessions that encouraged active participation through discussions, practical exercises, role plays, and real-life case studies.

Students explored topics including:

· Chidren have rights

· Child abuse and exploitation

· CDW Experiences

· Agency Building and Advocacy.

Rather than simply receiving information, participants were encouraged to become advocates capable of promoting awareness and supporting positive change within their schools.

"I have learned that every child has rights, and I now feel confident enough to speak up when something is wrong and encourage others to seek help."
— Child Rights Ambassador

Students Leading Change

The Child Rights Ambassadors Forum is more than a school club—it is a platform for student leadership and peer advocacy.

Members serve as role models by promoting respect, inclusion, and child protection within their schools. They also work alongside teachers and school counsellors to encourage awareness, identify concerns early, and guide fellow students towards appropriate support whenever necessary.

By empowering students to become part of the solution, the Forum strengthens the school's ability to prevent abuse, promote well-being, and protect vulnerable children.

Knowledge That Protects

A key feature of the programme was educating students on how and where to report concerns relating to abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, or exploitative child domestic work.

To reinforce these lessons, CAPRIGHTS-VP distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, ensuring that students have continued access to child protection information and referral contacts long after the training sessions.

A Shared Commitment to Child Protection

The Child Rights Ambassadors Forum reflects CAPRIGHTS-VP's belief that protecting children is a shared responsibility involving students, teachers, parents, and communities.

1. By strengthening peer leadership and enhancing collaboration with school counsellors, the initiative is helping to build school environments where children feel safe, respected, listened to, and empowered.