Each state in Nigeria has its adoption legislation. Both potential parents in Lagos State must be at least 25 years old. A single candidate must be 35 years old or older. I
n other Nigerian states, prospective parents must be at least 25 years old if married, and at least one must be at least 21 years older than the child they wish to adopt.
Applicants must be in good overall health. Applicants with exceptional circumstances, such as a past divorce, mental or emotional health concerns, or diagnosed medical disorders, should visit an adoption service provider to establish their particular adoption criteria.
Same-sex married couples are expressly prohibited from adopting children from Nigeria.
There is no minimum income criterion for intercountry adoption from Nigeria; nonetheless, parents must fulfill both USCIS and their particular state standards to demonstrate their capacity to sustain the child.
There are no explicit family limits involving existing children, minimum ages, or age gaps between resident and adoptive children.
Nigeria, on the other hand, prefers to maintain birth order. With only a few exceptions, Some orphanages may choose not to place a kid with a family with many children.
Please consult with an approved adoption service provider about your family’s exact make-up and if you fulfill their agency-specific standards.
Who is eligible for adoption?
Adoption is only possible for juveniles. However, there is no universal meaning to the term “juvenile.” A juvenile is defined as someone under 18 in Edo and Delta States and under the age of 18 in Lagos.
A juvenile in Anambra, Imo, and Ogun is someone under the age of 17. So, depending on the state, once a kid reaches the right age, the child may be adopted under the law.
How to Adopt a Child Legally in Nigeria
1. Consult with a lawyer who specializes in child adoption. The Lawyer will advise and represent you in Court and at government agencies.
The Lawyer will also safeguard you from impersonating government authorities and paying bogus costs. It is best to grant a lawyer a power of attorney so that the Lawyer may expedite all processes and work closely with the relevant government authorities.
2. Obtain the relevant forms and requirements from the District Family Court Division. Because the Form (Request for Adoption/Fostering in FCT) contains a unique variable number, duplicates are not permitted.
3. Fill out the Request for Adoption/Fostering in FCT Form. The Form will request the following information: the Adopter’s Name, Date of Birth, Occupation, Marital Status, Religion, Highest Education, Purpose of Adoption, details of the child sought to be adopted (Age, Health, and Education), Official address of the Adopter, Residential address of the Adopter, Telephone Number, Preferred age of the child sought to be adopted (Adoptee), Duration of adoption, Whether the Adoptee will be considered in a WILL.
4. The following documents must accompany the completed Form (Request for Adoption/Fostering in FCT):
- Handwritten Adoption/Fostering application
- Two passport-size pictures taken recently
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate or Age Declaration
- Marriage Certificate (if married Parents)
- Medical Fitness Certificate (Original Copy)
- Consent letter (s)
- Proof of indigenousness (from LGA or state Liaison Office)
- Proof of income
- Three referees
- Affidavit in Court (if any)
5. Submit the Form (Request for Adoption/Fostering in FCT) and any supporting documentation to the FCT Social Development Secretariat, which is situated in Area 3, Abuja, FCT.
6. The application will be forwarded to the Director of Gender Development (Child Welfare Division), who will arrange for a physical examination of the Applicant’s address. The address might be anywhere in Nigeria. The Applicant is the individual or people who want to adopt a child.
7. Separate interviews will be conducted by the Director (Child Welfare Division) with the Applicant (the person or individuals wanting to adopt a child), the Adoptee (the child requested to be adopted), and the Adoptee’s parents.
8. If the results from the inspection and interviews are satisfactory, the application will be forwarded to the Legal Department, and the Department will designate a Lawyer to file an adoption application with the District Family Court (often sitting at the popular Magistrates Court).
9. A date will be set for the application’s hearing in Court, which will necessitate the appearance of the Applicant, the Adoptee (kid), and the Adoptee’s Parents for examination by the formed panel (Panel of two Child Assessors and the Magistrate).
The Applicant’s Lawyer will represent the Applicant, the Adoptee, and the Adoptee’s parents.
10. During the court hearing, the Applicant, the Adoptee, and the Adoptee’s parents will be questioned by the Court and the Child Assessors.
The most general inquiry is about the goal of the adoption and the familiarity/connection between the Applicant and the Adoptee’s parents, all in the best interests of the Adoptee.
11. If the application is successful, a court order will be lodged and issued to the Applicant, who must sign an undertaking before the Court.
12. The court decree serves as a certificate and proof of adoption.
13. Several payments are frequently included throughout the full child adoption process (both receipted and un-receipted payments).
Post-Adoption Reports
Many adoption service providers participating in the Nigeria program require a post-adoption home visit within 30 days of your return.
Nigeria also requires post-adoption reports to be submitted to the Ministry of Youth and Social Development on an annual basis until the kid reaches the age of 18:
A social worker must complete the one-month, first-year, and second-year reports following your child’s return home.
After the kid has been at home for two years, parents are allowed to self-report until the child reaches the age of 18.
All reports must include 6-8 current images of the child, including at least one with both parents. The reports should include information about the child’s progress and photographs.
However, post-adoption reporting might differ between Nigerian states. Your adoption service provider will determine the frequency, substance, and required paperwork for your child’s post-adoption reports.
Child adoption is a legal act in Nigeria when done properly and legally. Adopting a child without following the law can result in kidnapping, human trafficking, and wasting time.
To prevent getting arrested for abduction and child trafficking, hire a lawyer for legal child adoption.
