# Nigeria child welfare and rights reform efforts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-child-welfare-and-rights-reform-efforts > Updated: 2026-09-23T11:31:29.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. In Nigeria, civil society organizations and legislative stakeholders are pushing for comprehensive reforms to improve the welfare and protection of children. Civil society groups have called for health sector reforms to produce measurable outcomes, citing significant gaps in maternal and child health. Data indicates that 40 per cent of children under five are stunted and vaccination rates remain insufficient. Advocates argue that successful reform requires better leadership, sustainable financing, and integration across nutrition and sanitation sectors. Concurrently, a national engagement in Abuja has been initiated to amend the 2003 Child Rights Act. The proposed legislative updates aim to expand the Act to include provisions for digital safety, child-friendly justice, and family-based care. Proposed changes include raising the minimum age for child justice administration from seven to 12 years and establishing a Child Protection Fund to ensure dedicated budgetary support. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Nigeria moves to reform 23-year-old Child Rights Act Nigerian stakeholders are reviewing the 2003 Child Rights Act to introduce reforms covering digital safety, child-friendly justice, and dedicated funding to enhance child protection and welfare. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-moves-to-reform-23-year-old-child-rights-act ### 2026-09-14: Nigeria health reforms must deliver measurable outcomes, CSOs warn Nigerian civil society groups warn that 40% of children under five are stunted and urge the government to move health reforms from policy development to tangible improvements in care and outcomes. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-health-reforms-must-deliver-measurable-outcomes-csos-warn --- Cite as: Nigeria child welfare and rights reform efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-child-welfare-and-rights-reform-efforts