The United Nations has commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for its bold, cross-sectoral response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), describing it as a model of effective coordination and commitment.
Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, gave the commendation during her visit to the Awyetu Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Bwari, Abuja, on May 6, 2025. The visit was part of her fact-finding mission to assess Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in addressing SGBV and violence against children.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Mr. Lere Olayinka, M’jid hailed the FCTA for ensuring that multiple ministries and sectors were united in confronting the issue.
“This is not just a Women Affairs issue,” she said. “It involves health, justice, education, and the communities themselves. I am encouraged by the collective will to end violence against children and other vulnerable groups.”
The Awyetu SARC, established in 2020 through a British Council–EU RoLAC partnership, offers a comprehensive support system for survivors — including medical care, psychological counseling, and legal assistance. The Centre specifically focuses on vulnerable populations, especially children.
M’jid praised Nigeria’s role as a leading country in the global partnership to end violence against children. She emphasized the need to address the root causes of sexual violence and ensure survivors are heard, protected, and empowered — while holding perpetrators fully accountable.
“Nigeria has made remarkable commitments,” she noted. “But now is the time to turn those promises into measurable action and long-lasting impact.”
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Welcoming the UN envoy, Mrs. Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, described the visit as a “positive disruption” that re-energized interagency collaboration. She emphasized that solving SGBV demands a holistic, multifaceted approach aligned with international best practices.
“We must all work together — health, justice, education, civil society, and communities — to protect the dignity and rights of every woman and child,” she said.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, also welcomed the UN’s recognition, saying the visit reaffirms Nigeria’s standing in the global child protection movement. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, she noted that the FCT remains committed to improving services for survivors.
Despite the end of external support from the RoLAC programme, the FCT Administration has sustained the SARC, though challenges remain. These include limited funding for drugs and test kits, insufficient training and incentives for staff, weak synergy with law enforcement, and low public awareness.
Officials at the Centre say plans are underway to reposition the facility and upgrade services to ensure survivors receive integrated, high-quality support.
The visit ended with a renewed commitment from both local and international partners to strengthen coordination, expand prevention efforts, and ensure justice and healing for survivors of sexual violence in Nigeria’s capital.