COUNTRY:

Nigeria

DOCUMENT TYPE:

Constitutional Provision

YEAR ADOPTED:

1999

Description

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was adopted in May 1999. Regarding the definition of “child,” the constitution notes, in Article 19, that the term “includes a step-child, a lawfully adopted child, a child born out of wedlock and any child to whom any individual stands in place of a parent.” The constitution asserts, in Article 3(f), “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that- children, young persons and the age are protected against any exploitation whatsoever, and against moral and material neglect.”