This article explores how the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON) is urging both federal and state governments to prioritize budgeting for vulnerable children, emphasizing the importance of shifting from institutional care to family-based foster care. At a Lagos workshop themed “Strengthening Foster Care Operations,” ASOHON’s President, Dr. Gabriel Oyediji, highlighted the negative impact of mass institutional settings on children’s development and introduced a new foster-care training manual to help stakeholders implement best practices.
He pointed out that orphanages are increasingly becoming unsustainable as many are shutting down due to dwindling donor support and public scrutiny. Dr. Oyediji noted that global best practices support deinstitutionalized care—like in Kenya, where foster care programs with government-backed training and cash transfers have proven more effective for nurturing children.