CHILD ADOPTION IN NIGERIA: A LEGAL APPRAISAL

Abstract

It is a well-established fact that children are an integral part of the family and the future of our society. As such, it is expected that every marriage produces biological children and the absence of such is often viewed as unsettling especially in Nigeria where indigenous customs and beliefs predominantly dominate our society. Unfortunately, many couples due to a myriad of reasons are unable to bear children. While those who have children may not be adequately capable to cater for them due to reasons such as death and abject poverty. To this end, adoption offers such couples an opportunity for them to have children which they can legally call their own, with the requisite rights, privileges and responsibilities over such children as if they were the biological parents. Adoption has become a common practice in Nigeria with an ever-evolving process. However, its practice and acceptance has been hampered by many hurdles ranging from legal challenges such as inconsistent state laws and time-consuming process of adoption, institutional barriers, economic challenges amongst many others. In view of the above, this work seeks to critically examine the challenges and prospects of adoption in Nigeria.