Child adoption from Nigeria rises, Lagos releases 25 to foreign adopters

There appears to be increased interest in child adoption from Nigeria by foreigners.

Adoption is a process whereby suitable person (s) by legal means acquire parental claim over a child or children with or without blood relationship. This could be either local or international.

Findings show that but for stringent procedures, in Lagos for example, more children could have been taken, as several applications are received annually from international agencies and foundations through whom the prospective adopters apply.

A number of reasons are believed to be fueling the trend. It was gathered that Africa’s huge population which is afflicted by poor welfare and disease, weak laws for adequate protection of an average child are some of the factors encouraging the West to look in the direction of Africa for adoption.

Abuse and increasing cases of rape and defilement of minors, insecurity worsened by the deadly Boko Haram insurgency leading to the abduction, on April 14, of over 200 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria by the insurgents, have left children in Nigeria more vulnerable with many parents seeking opportunity for international adoption of their wards.

Mercy Ekpore, a mother of five and resident of Lagos, told BusinessDay that she did not see any harm in giving her child out for international adoption provided the child’s safety is guaranteed. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to nurture your children in Nigeria. With what is happening, your mind is not at rest whether they are in school or home,” she said.

Findings show that in 2013, nine European countries and the United States sought for adoption from Lagos especially those who lack adequate care in some of the public and private orphanages. Lagos has the largest

concentration of orphanage homes in the country with the population running into thousands, majority of whom are poorly catered for.

Data obtained from the Lagos State Office of Youth and Social Development which has the statutory function of supervising and dealing with the issue of adoption in the state, show that there were over 1,200 applications for adoption of children in 2013.

Enitan Badru, the special adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on youth and social development, said that his office eventually processed and released 87 babies for adoption; 25 of these were international adoptions.

Majority of the countries involved are in Europe and include Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, United Kingdom, Canada, and of course the United States of America.

Some of the international agencies working with Lagos state in sealing the deal include Foundation Child and Future, Netherlands; AC International, Denmark; Enzo B, Italy; Sourires d’ Enfants, Belgium; Family de Colores,

Spain; Lumiere des Enfants, France; Adoptions Centrum, Sweden; British High Commission; Canadian High Commission; American High Commission, with the involvement of State Security Service (SSS).

Enitan said in releasing the children, the state followed the standard procedure guiding international adoption before signing off the children from the foundations/orphanages which put forward the applications for the adopters.

The rules applying for international adoption via through a foundation, include identification of the child and expression of interest to the government, investigation by the Office of Youth and Social Department, submission of case file by the foundation/home involved.

JOSHUA BASSEY