By Israel Adamu | Jos, Nigeria

In a bold and timely step toward transforming child care systems across the region, the West Africa Alternative Care Summit (WAACS) 2025 convened in the city of Jos, Plateau State this week. The event brought together an inspiring mix of stakeholders—government leaders, child protection advocates, orphanage operators, researchers, and international development partners—all united around a common goal: reforming child care practices in West Africa through stronger collaboration and innovative, family-based alternatives.


The summit, organized by the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (Northern Region) in partnership with the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs, served as a high-level platform for rethinking the region’s heavy reliance on institutional care. Participants examined challenges, shared best practices, and discussed pathways to scale up family-based care options like fostering and adoption.


In her keynote address, Mrs. Sandra Chikan, Convener and Chairperson of WAACS 2025, painted a sobering picture of child welfare in the region. “Across West Africa, thousands of orphans and vulnerable children remain in institutional care due to a lack of family-based alternatives, weak policy implementation, and limited collaboration,” she said.


Mrs. Chikan emphasized that while orphanages offer temporary protection, they are not a substitute for the love, security, and holistic development that a family environment provides. Citing global studies, she noted that children raised in institutions often face emotional distress, social isolation, and reduced opportunities compared to those nurtured in family settings.


Despite growing international support for alternatives like fostering and adoption, implementation across the region has remained slow, hindered by policy gaps, cultural resistance, and resource constraints.


WAACS 2025 was designed to be more than a talk shop. According to Mrs. Chikan, the summit is a launchpad for practical solutions that move children from institutional care to stable, nurturing homes. “We are here to build bridges across sectors—bringing together shelter operators, government ministries, researchers, and security agencies to co-create evidence-based strategies for reform,” she stated.


The summit provided opportunities for stakeholders to share case studies, explore policy innovations, and exchange experiences from other African countries and beyond.

Among the notable speakers were:

 - Julie Cooper, President of Trauma Free World

 - Sarah Ellis, Stateside Manager, Back2Back Haiti

 - David Nowell, Executive Director, Hope Institute

 - Kenneth Ayebazibe, African Regional Director

 - David Adoke, Country Director, Uganda Child’s i Foundation

 - Dr. Ken Merrifield, International Development Expert


These voices echoed a shared urgency: the time to act is now. The stories they told, and the data they presented, pointed to the same conclusion—West Africa must shift its child welfare system away from reactive institutional care and toward proactive, community-based alternatives.


As the summit came to a close, one thing became clear: reforming child care in West Africa will require bold leadership, cultural sensitivity, and sustained collaboration at all levels. The WAACS platform is a step in the right direction, providing a model for how countries in the region can unite under a shared vision for child protection and well-being.


Mrs. Chikan closed with a hopeful note: “With the right data, the right partnerships, and the right commitment, we can give every child—not just shelter, but a real home.”