In a bold step toward reshaping the future of child protection in Kwara State, the Save the Future of Children Initiative (SAFIN) has unveiled a comprehensive 5-Year Strategic Action Plan (2026–2030) aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable children, adolescent girls and young women, as well as families across Nigeria.
The strategic planning meeting, held on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, at G-Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, Pipeline, Ilorin, brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, child representatives, and community leaders to collaboratively chart a clear direction for the next phase of the organization’s work.
Notable attendees at the session included the Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs, represented by the Director of Child in the Ministry, Alhaja Idiat Alabi; the Board Chairman of SAFIN, Rev. (Dr.) Samuel Obaniyi; the Magaji Jalala of Tanke, Ilorin, Barrister Akano Saheed Oladimeji; the Chief Executive Officer of SAFIN, Oyedeji Olufemi; and the Speaker of the Kwara Children’s Parliament, Fausiyyah Arinola.
In his address, the CEO of SAFIN, Oyedeji Olufemi highlighted SAFIN’s impactful work over the past 13 years in promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable children, adolescent girls and young women, and families across Nigeria.
He noted that over 20,000 children have benefited from various forms of social protection services provided by the organization.
The strategic planning process, he explained, was participatory and evidence-based, involving consultations with internal staff, board members, the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs, child representatives, community stakeholders, and beneficiaries.
“The plan emerged from a comprehensive review of national child protection indicators and is aligned with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also included an institutional assessment of SAFIN’s strengths and areas for growth.
“The new strategic plan articulates SAFIN’s vision, mission, core values, theory of change, strategic priorities, and implementation roadmap. It embraces gender-transformative, disability-inclusive, rights-based, and community-centered approaches, while emphasizing the use of innovation, technology, advocacy, public campaigns, capacity-building, research, and strategic partnerships to achieve its objectives”, he added.
According to Oyedeji, “this strategic plan is not just a guide; it is a call to action. It reaffirms SAFIN’s commitment to building a society where every child is safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.”
However, participants at the meeting commended SAFIN for its vision and commitment. They strongly advocated for the increased inclusion of children’s voices in policymaking and program design.
They also called for collective ownership and action, urging all stakeholders to embrace the strategic plan and work collaboratively toward its successful implementation.