The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, has issued a stern warning to orphanage homes in the state against placing children up for adoption without notifying the government.
Adeleye emphasized that orphanages do not have the legal authority to give out babies for adoption and cautioned that anyone caught doing so will face severe legal consequences.
Speaking to reporters at her office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the commissioner stressed that any adoption carried out without approval from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is invalid and amounts to child trafficking and kidnapping.
She revealed that the state government had previously revoked the licenses of several private orphanages due to malpractice and irregularities, but over 30 have since reapplied after meeting the necessary requirements.
“At one point this year, we revoked all licenses of private homes after uncovering sharp practices, including collusion between some ministry staff and private homes. These homes had to undergo due diligence before reapplying,” Adeleye explained.
“No orphanage or private home has the authority to place a child for adoption without involving the Ministry of Women Affairs. If there is an adoptable child, the ministry must be contacted, as the Department of Social Welfare is the only body legally empowered to handle adoption procedures.”
She further stated, “Any adoption conducted outside this process is null and void and is tantamount to kidnapping and child trafficking.”
Adeleye also outlined the adoption process, noting that it costs less than N500,000 in Ogun State. “You fill out the application form, and when a child matching your criteria is available, you will be contacted to begin the legal process. This includes a 21-day publication period before obtaining a temporary order, followed by the final order.”
The commissioner urged the public to act as guardians of their community by reporting any cases of injustice, gender-based violence, or children found wandering the streets to the ministry or the nearest police station.
“For some children, we manage to reunite them with their families. For those we cannot, the government is fully prepared to care for them, provide education, and offer a hopeful future,” she added.
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