With growing concerns over child safety in Nigeria, a non-profit group, SafeKids Consult, is stepping up efforts to bridge gaps in protection for children both at home and in schools.
Founded by Adejumoke Sangolana, the organisation is at the forefront of advocacy to curb negligence, raise awareness, and promote digital and physical safety education for Nigerian children.
It focuses particularly on low- and middle-income schools, many of which lack the infrastructure and training to prevent avoidable accidents or address emerging digital threats.
According to data from the National Safety Council, National Centre for Injury Prevention and Control, and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries remain the leading cause of death among children and young adults.
The CDC notes that about 12,000 individuals aged 1 to 19 die annually from unintentional injuries. While Nigeria lacks corresponding national data, incidents of school-related accidents and inadequate safety measures in learning environments are not uncommon.
To address this, SafeKids Consult recently held the second edition of its Child Safety Outreach in Lagos, with the theme “Enabling the Guardians of the Digital Age.” The programme focused on educating school staff, parents, and children on the evolving landscape of child safety, particularly the risks associated with technology.
“This outreach was about helping schools and parents understand both the opportunities and the risks,” said Sangolana, who also convened the event. “Technology has opened up the world for our children, but it has also exposed them to online predators, harmful content, and emotional vulnerabilities.”
Keynote speaker and founder of QHSES Academy, Engr. Jamiu Badmos decried the recurring neglect of safety planning in Nigerian schools.
“We have lost children in Lagos to preventable incidents during school events because there were no emergency plans or first aid support,” he said. “We must begin to prioritise risk assessment and prevention in every school.”
Also speaking at the event, the pioneer Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Odebunmi, commended the initiative and encouraged schools to embrace digital safety learning tools, such as AskPaddie, a YouTube-based child safety platform.
“Nigeria must become safer, and that starts with ensuring our children learn safety from an early age,” she said.
CEO of HSENations, Femi DaSilva, echoed the call for early safety education, describing SafeKids Consult’s outreach as a catalyst for long-term behavioural change.
“Teaching safety from childhood creates a culture that values life, health, and well-being,” he noted. “SafeKids is not just raising awareness, they’re changing the narrative.”
The event featured a robust expert-led panel moderated by Habeeb Salaudeen, Governor of SustainablePEOPLE. Panellists included Omonefe Francis of Kennedia HMO Ltd, Elizabeth Oyinlola of The Trusted Advisors, digital safety expert Udoh Bassey, RC Oluwafemi Runsewe of the Federal Road Safety Corps, and Odufuye Akinbowale of Kevron Consulting Ltd.
Discussions centred on practical interventions for school safety gaps, digital exposure, and the role of parents in child protection. Participants explored tools, policies, and innovations that can make communities more responsive to safety threats affecting children.
Other highlights included a safety quiz competition for pupils, first aid demonstrations, and a school debate. The organisation also unveiled safety flashcards and staged a play adaptation of its debut children’s storybook, “Sam Learns Safety,” designed to make safety education more engaging for young learners.
Participants received back-to-school items and safety equipment, while teachers and parents gained hands-on training to better safeguard children under their care.
“The impact of this outreach was visible even before the programme ended,” Sangolana remarked. “Parents, teachers, and children told us they were leaving with lessons that could one day save a life.”
With initiatives like this, SafeKids Consult is pushing for a cultural shift, one that places child safety at the heart of parenting and education in Nigeria.
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