The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that around 60% of those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East are youths, underscoring the urgent need for child-centred justice and sustained intervention.
UNODC Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Toure, made this known on Monday in Maiduguri during the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children. The event, themed “Advancing Child-Centred Justice: Preventing and Responding to Violence Affecting Children in Justice Systems,” was organised in collaboration with the governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, alongside Strive Juvenile, Justice for Children, and with funding from the European Union.
Toure highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict on children in the region, noting that many have been abducted, trafficked, or forcibly recruited into armed and criminal groups. According to available reports, at least 1,385 children were recruited between 2017 and 2019.
“These figures are not just statistics. Each one represents a child whose life, dignity, and future are at risk,” Toure said. “About 60 percent of those affected are youths. Nigeria’s development depends on the protection and empowerment of its young population.”
He called for urgent, concrete actions to protect children affected by violence and conflict, especially in the BAY (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) states, where thousands continue to suffer exploitation by terrorist groups.
Toure also commended the resilience of young people in the region, especially the Youth Peace Champions—an initiative supported by UNODC to empower youths as peacebuilders and advocates for child protection.
“These courageous young leaders are mentoring their peers, raising awareness, and advocating for justice that restores rather than retraumatises,” he said. “They are building resilience from the ground up and showing what inclusive development looks like.”
Since his appointment in October 2024, Toure has made youth-led initiatives and women’s empowerment central to all UNODC programmes. “Every project must deliver measurable results—especially for youths, women, and persons with disabilities,” he added.
He expressed hope that the Youth Peace Champions would inspire similar youth-driven initiatives across Nigeria’s other regions.
“This is the inclusive approach Nigeria needs right now. The voices of these young people must be heard—locally, nationally, and globally,” Toure said, urging stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric to tangible commitments and resources.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by Commissioner of Justice Hauwa Mohammed, also addressed the congress. He pledged that children would be placed at the centre of the state’s decision-making, especially in areas relating to juvenile justice and post-conflict recovery.
Mohammed described the congress as timely, given the emotional, psychological, and physical toll the insurgency has taken on children. She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to preventing the use of children in armed conflict and promoting their rights to education, justice, and protection.
The congress brought together legal experts, civil society organisations, youth leaders, and international agencies to build a justice system that prioritises children’s rights and enables Nigeria’s youth to reclaim their future.
“Together, we can build a future where no child is left behind—and where every child has the chance to contribute to Nigeria’s full development potential,” Toure concluded.
