By Israel Adamu, Jos
The West Africa Alternative Care Summit (WAACS) on Wednesday convened stakeholders from across the region in Jos, the Plateau State capital, to chart pathways for reforming child care practices in West Africa.
The summit was organized by the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (Northern Region) in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs.
Our correspondent reports that the summit brought together policy leaders, child welfare advocates, and community changemakers who pledged to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable child protection and welfare reform.
Speaking at the event, the Convener and Chairperson of the 2025 West Africa Alternative Care Summit, Mrs. Sandra Chikan, lamented that thousands of orphans and vulnerable children across West Africa remain in institutional care due to a lack of family-based alternatives, insufficient policy frameworks, and limited stakeholder collaboration.
“Institutional care facilities such as orphanages and shelters provide temporary relief but often fall short in offering the long-term developmental, emotional, and psychological support that a family environment can provide,” she said.
According to her, “Studies have shown that children raised in institutions are at greater risk of emotional distress, social isolation, and reduced opportunities for personal growth compared to those raised in family-based settings.”
She noted that despite global advocacy for alternative care models such as fostering and adoption, organizations and government agencies in West Africa continue to face significant challenges — including weak policy implementation, cultural barriers, and a lack of coordinated efforts.
“There is an urgent need to bring together key stakeholders — shelter operators, policymakers, researchers, community leaders, security agencies, and social welfare organizations — to develop practical, evidence-based strategies that can help transition children from institutional care to stable, nurturing families,” Chikan emphasized.
She explained that the summit is part of a broader mission to improve child welfare and promote alternative care models in Nigeria and across the continent.
“We have gathered orphanage and shelter operators, international organizations, researchers, government ministries, and other key players in the child care sector to share best practices, explore alternative care options, and develop actionable frameworks for transitioning children into family-based care — including fostering and adoption,” she added.
By fostering dialogue, collecting data, and formulating practical strategies, Chikan said the summit aims to guide African organizations in implementing sustainable, home-based care solutions.
Key speakers at the event included Julie Cooper, President of Trauma Free World; Sarah Ellis, Stateside Manager of Back2Back Haiti; David Nowell, Executive Director of Hope Institute; Kenneth Ayebazibe, African Regional Director; David Adoke, Country Director of Uganda Child’s i Foundation; Dr. Ken Merrifield, and several others.
