By Sola Adebawo
The stench of a Lagos gutter is a familiar assault on the senses, but for the Evangelism team of the Global Influence Continental Church (GICC), a recent experience revealed a far more profound and heartbreaking reality. In a high-value neighborhood in Lekki, not far from the gleaming facades of modern prosperity, they discovered a few-days-old baby, left to the mercy of the sewers. This is not merely a story of a rescue; it is a stark, harrowing account of a societal failure and the immense frustration that accompanies the act of doing good in Nigeria. While the baby was saved through the kindness of strangers, the subsequent journey exposed a frustrating system that often leaves the burden of responsibility on the very people who have already given so much.
The act of child desertion in Nigeria is a symptom of a complex web of social, economic, and cultural issues. It is a devastating choice, often born out of extreme poverty, unwed pregnancy, or the deep-seated stigma that can ostracize a mother and child from their community.
Yet, the tragedy is compounded by a system that is ill-equipped to handle the fallout.
As witnessed by the GICC team, the official response was a frustrating cascade of inaction: the police provided no support, no investigation, and simply passed the baby along. The responsibility was left to the church, a neighbor, and a kind-hearted woman, who collectively took on the welfare and cost of the child, moving from one hospital to another in a desperate search for help. This is the frustrating reality of trying to do good in a system that lacks the framework to support and amplify such acts of compassion. It highlights a critical gap where human empathy must fill in for institutional deficiency.
Beyond the immediate crisis of abandonment, those who want to provide a permanent, loving home for these children face a labyrinth of their own. Even with the best intentions, the hurdles to legitimate adoption in Lagos and Nigeria are daunting and deeply embedded in both culture and bureaucracy.
One of the most significant barriers is the cultural and social stigma surrounding adoption. The Nigerian concept of family is often inextricably linked to biological lineage, creating a belief that a child’s true identity is rooted in their “bloodline.” This can lead to the stigmatization of adopted children and their parents. The public suspicion is further fueled by the unfortunate reality of illegal “baby factories” and child trafficking, which casts a dark shadow over the entire legal adoption process, leading many to assume an adopted child was illicitly acquired. This fear of the unknown (of a child’s genetic history or the potential for their biological parents to reappear) adds another layer of anxiety for prospective parents.
The legal and procedural bottlenecks present a formidable challenge. While a legal framework like the Child’s Rights Act of 2003 exists, its inconsistent application across different states creates a fragmented and confusing landscape. The process itself is a “long and winding road of bureaucracy,” notoriously slow and riddled with extensive paperwork. It can take months, or even years, with a mountain of required documents ranging from tax returns to police clearance certificates. This prolonged process is emotionally and financially draining.
Compounding this is the significant lack of post-adoption support. Once the legal adoption is finalized, families are often left on their own, with little to no access to counseling, educational resources, or a support network to navigate the unique challenges of raising an adopted child.
Finally, economic and institutional challenges further undermine the system. The process is not immune to corruption, where bribes may be demanded to expedite a process that is already frustratingly slow. A major systemic issue is the absence of a unified, national database for adoptable children, making it difficult to match children with prospective parents efficiently. This also contributes to the over-demand for young babies, while older children in orphanages are often overlooked. Concerns also persist regarding the oversight of many orphanages, with some operating outside of proper regulation, putting children at risk and adding another layer of anxiety for well-meaning families.
The story of the abandoned baby in Lekki is a microcosm of a much larger national issue. While the initial tragedy lies in the act of abandonment, a deeper frustration is found in the systemic failures that follow.
The burdens placed on kind-hearted individuals, the cultural stigma, the bureaucratic red tape, and the financial hurdles all conspire to make a difficult situation even more challenging. It highlights a dire need for systemic reform, where the goodwill of people is met with institutional support, creating a more robust framework to protect the most vulnerable and to empower those who are willing to give them a home.
- Adebawo is an accomplished business leader and communications expert with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. He currently serves as the General Manager of Government, Joint Venture, and External Relations at Heritage Energy. He is also an author, scholar, and ordained minister, known for his writings on socioeconomic issues, strategic communication and leadership.
