Nigeria, Oct. 20 -- The legal rights of Nigerian children are embedded in a range of national laws and international agreements. These laws rest on fundamental principles that safeguard human life, prevent harm, uphold human dignity, and promote human development. They affirm the simple truth that children are the cornerstone of society, and the survival and progress of any nation depend on how well it protects, nurtures, and empowers them.

Yet, despite these legal provisions, the effective enforcement and realization of children's rights in Nigeria remain a major challenge. Many children still face significant barriers to accessing justice, ranging from poverty and inadequate legal representation to cultural practices and systemic short...