The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Both Ends Believing (BEB), a global non-profit organisation focused on improving outcomes for children in alternative care, to strengthen child protection and enhance the welfare of vulnerable children through a data-driven approach.
The agreement, signed on Thursday at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, is aimed at improving the identification, documentation, care planning and long-term welfare of children living in residential homes and other alternative care settings across Lagos State.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the partnership as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen child protection systems and improve the welfare of children in need of care and support.
He said the collaboration would complement ongoing government efforts to ensure that every child within the alternative care system is properly identified, documented, protected and provided with the necessary support to achieve their full potential.
According to the commissioner, the partnership is expected to contribute to the development of a stronger child protection system where every child is accounted for, protected and connected to family where possible, while growing in a safe and nurturing environment.
Ogunlende noted that the adoption of technology and reliable data would improve the Ministry’s capacity to monitor children’s progress, strengthen accountability within the child welfare system and support evidence-based decision-making.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with child care institutions, social workers, development partners and relevant government agencies to ensure that the best interests of every child remain central to welfare interventions in Lagos State.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said access to accurate and up-to-date information is critical for effective case management, family tracing, care planning and monitoring of children within the protection system.
She expressed confidence that the partnership with BEB would further strengthen efforts to build a more coordinated, accountable and child-centred welfare system in the state.
Earlier, President of Both Ends Believing, Mr. Bruce Graham, represented by the organisation’s Country Manager, Mr. Silas Gyang, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of children in alternative care across Lagos State.
Graham explained that many children remain “invisible” due to the absence of reliable and accessible information about their identities, histories, needs and family connections. To address this challenge, he said BEB developed the Children First Software (CFS), a child-centred case management platform that enables caregivers, social workers, child care institutions and government agencies to maintain secure and up-to-date records on children.
He noted that the software would support better care planning, strengthen accountability, facilitate family tracing and reunification where appropriate, and provide evidence to guide policy and decision-making.
According to him, the partnership extends beyond technology deployment and will include technical support, capacity building, continuous learning and collaborative problem-solving to strengthen child welfare systems.
Graham commended Lagos State for its leadership in advancing child protection and social welfare, expressing optimism that the initiative would serve as a model for other states in Nigeria and across Africa.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of work tools by Both Ends Believing to support the implementation of the Children First Software and enhance the capacity of personnel involved in child protection and alternative care services in Lagos State.