How is it like Adopting a child in Nigeria?
What does one need to do?
What does one expect after doing what one needs to do?
What does one need to avoid doing?
Has anyone here ever adopted a child in Nigeria?How long is the waiting process and what does it entail?...I am sure this post will help one or two people looking to adopt a child.
Interesting topic.👍
ReplyDeleteIncrease the volume please
DeleteVery interesting.....✍🏾
DeleteI have 3 adopted siblings. The youngest came to us at 1½ years old and he turned 18 last week.
DeleteAccording to my parents, you need a very good lawyer with the right connections (human rights activist, volunteer...anything along those lines would work), political connections too because, this is Nigeria, a verifiable address in a good location and in your hometown, good jobs, a great standing in your community. Couples who have been married for a long time are at an advantage. 17years ago, this was all done through the welfare office or so. Don't know if that has changed now. You are expected to pay for the adoption processes and all of this is nowhere near 1million naira.
I remember welfare people used to visit us a lot but the visits tapered out after a while.
I and my Dh started the long and tiring adoption process around 2012 by first putting our names down as prospective parents. We went to Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states but eventually went with the Oyo state ministry as we got a reasonable and better response from them .
DeleteA child was placed with us on a temporary basis around 2015 and we had to show up every 6 months with the child as they had to check on the well being of the child and ensure we took adequate care of him.
After tons of paperwork and traveling to and fro, my parents had to make some of the appearances on our behalf at some point as we are outside Nigeria. The final adoption was eventually granted around 2017/18....
It’s an emotionally draining process That requires lots and lot of patience. Good luck to anyone considering it.
Thanks Stella for this topic....I would really love to adopt a kid in the nearest future..I have browsed on this topic and couldn't find anything meaningful
DeleteI havnt adopted personally but a family member who has been TTC for about 20yrs adopted a baby girl from the East. She is 10 now and a great joy to d whole family. Very beautiful,intelligent and friendly girl and shes a daddys girl. This girl didnt agree to go to her own room till like last yr,we all make fun of dem. Big girl still sleeping with her parents.
DeleteI dont know the process as d wife was abit secretive abt it; d man is more free. All i know is they went to d East to an orphanage and brought home d beautiful baby.
I will like to adopt a baby too in d future when we are older and kids are grown. A baby girl maybe......
My uncle adopted a baby girl few years back, she is 6 now. They had a friend who fast tracked the process, I heard he spent about 1 million and he carried the baby as soon as she was born.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't sound like adoption. Look more like factory baby thingy.
DeletePwetie, u people have come with unnecessary speculations again. This one is a case of corruption from those involved but no, you've decided its baby factory business.
DeleteDoesn't sound like adoption
DeleteYour uncle bought that baby. By law the mother is required to hold her baby and she has 24 hours to give a final yes before she signs the adoption papers. It's also rare in genuine adoption to get a newborn baby on the actual day of birth. When this happens it's almost 99% baby factory or stolen at birth baby. Again,I repeat that your uncle went to dubious welfare staff who use the cover of their office to perpetuate this evil.
DeleteNawa for you people o. How you take know its baby factory.
DeleteAdoption can be expensive o. Especially if you want to hasten d process especially maybe you are living in Lagos and orphanage is far away. U wont have d time for everyday visits.
Eka dearie, I dont understand ur comment o. I have a good knowledge of adoption process here in Nigeria. And have witnessed situations where d mother doesn't want d new born. It takes even more than 24hrs for a new mum to finally sign off her baby. Na labour ward we dey. It looks like the uncle had a prior agreement before the baby was born. this one no follow adoption dear.
DeleteWatch crime fighters currently airing. This sounds like a stolen baby. Just go watch it and see what those mother's go tru. That child is either stolen or baby factory things
DeleteStella with the mind blowing segment. Can't wait #pen&jotterready#
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for a post like this..
ReplyDeleteI would really love to adopt a child in future when I'm financially stable.
Adopting a child here in Naija is very rigorous. I've seen couple who doesn't wanna cut corners waiting for close to ten years just to adopt a child. It's even worse when you're not financially buoyant bcos most orphanage home give children to the highest bidders. I pray our govt will look into the adoption process and make it more easier for couples. If the adoption process becomes easier all these baby factories will no longer have people patronizing them. A lot of couples find themselves patronizing those criminals just bcos they've been frustrated by the adopted brouhaha.
ReplyDeleteMay God come through for all expectant couples.
Wow 😨 😨 😨 are you serious?
DeleteSluttychic.
The thing be say, if people no born these kids ,where them go see them adopt?
DeleteExactly!!! Am a Social Welfare Officer in Ibadan and i can tell you categorically that the number of application on ground is higher than the babies..as at june 2020 we have over 285 Applications not forgetting those on the waiting list,which are the one they will consider first.....My Advice to anyone considering Adoption is to submit your application first. The soonest they can consider you will be after 6 months ....Not forgetting it has some financial implications too.
DeleteI have family members & some relatives that have done that but I only have a few information about it. But I can inquire from a family friend that use to head a home like that.
ReplyDeleteThe most Complex B
I would love to know. I've always wanted to adopt a child, and one day I will. I hear the adoption process in Nigeria is long, and in some cases, one might not even get the child.
ReplyDeleteWaiting on this post like.... l have an interest in adopting after having 2 children making them 3. That was a promise I made to God a long time ago to adopt a child that’s not mine and give him/ her a mother’s love and train the child to be the best he/ she can be in life. So help me God! I also prayed for an understanding husband and God honored it. He has agreed but even if he didn’t l would have still gone ahead anyway because a promise made to God should not be broken.
ReplyDeleteSo this post will benefit me.
I looove that line, "a promise made to God, should not be broken." God will help you, love. 😘😘😘
DeleteThat's a very good one. Ive plans to adopt someday too.
DeleteSluttychic.
My plan exactly...albeit no promises made but its my desire after two biological kids.
DeleteEnter your comment...No idea
ReplyDeletePls help a sister ...I want to adopt a cute little baby girl ..lagos or ibadsn
ReplyDeleteEnter your comment...No idea
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that you need to have a lot of money to fasten the process otherwise you'll stay in line for years. A woman I know adopted a baby in 2018 and she paid over 1million naira.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm,what was the payment for?
DeleteIsn't it the same as buying the child?
Mrs Sharon, you don't expect orphanages to hand over a baby to an intending couple without them paying a dime? That's why police should stop arresting women that sell their babies due to hardship because orphanages do the same under the guise of adoption.
DeleteYes you pay orphanages but its nowhere near one million naira. When my hubby and I adopted we paid adoption fee and other miscellaneous fees totalling around N120k/N150k, and that was in 2019. We've however been on the waiting list since 2016 but got serious with the process in 2017, and we usually visited the govt orpahnage at Ibadan in Oyo state with gifts for the children every other weekend.You also need to be in constant touch with those in charge at the welfare office and orphanage.
DeleteAnon 22:48 you paid that amount cause you waited for long! Not everyone has that patience so once they see you want a fast attention they bill you more
DeleteTo adopt in Nigeria is like going for an American visa. Well God has been helping people that are financially buoyant enough.It was not stressful or expensive like 10yrs ago,know some family friends that adopted.
ReplyDeleteGo to orphanage home,they would direct you how to go about it and make sure you have a good job and verifiable address.I wish I could be a surrogate,I take in like drinking water...it's all God.
May you carry your babies,Amen.
I heard it is not easy adopting in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteI know a couple that adopted a child, the boy is now six year old, he was adopted when he was a baby. They have been married for 30 years no child, they priest in the Anglican Communion....
ReplyDeleteNice one Stella.
ReplyDeleteWould love more information on this.
No idea at all..
ReplyDeletelegal adoption in Nigeria is one hell of a process.
ReplyDeleteNot easy at all
DeleteIt is hell, it took my parents almost teen years to adopt my cute little brother, its not something I have time to type.
ReplyDeleteSo many people say its not easy. I wish it was more easier. At least maybe people will not look towards these baby factories here and there.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with getting a baby from a baby factory. A baby is a baby.
Delete14:35, you see nothing wrong in getting a baby from a baby factory? You are sick, in short you're mad.
DeleteAnon, something must be wrong with you! A lot of the girls who birth their babies there are usually held against their will or raped. Stories abound of young girls being promised work in IDP camps across the country and are taken to those factories where they are molested and kept for months. After delivery they are blindfolded and dumped somewhere and their babies sold to the highest bidder. Educate yourself. Go to BBC stories and you will find as these young girls give gory details of their experiences. There is nothing right with baby factories!
DeleteIt's so easy to adopt a child in the northern part but only if u are a Muslim..as most of the children are rejected ones,that the parents throw away,had out of wedlock,or loss their father,the mothers take them to orphanage so she can remarry..
ReplyDeleteGovernment takes very good care of them thou.
Make sure you;
ReplyDelete1. Involve the social welfare/women's department in your state from the get go.
2. involve/inform the local police of what you are doing.
3. If it is a motherless babies home run by the nuns, better.
4. Do not give bribes. Most times, the ones you give bribes to get are either stolen or
gotten through "baby factory" with teenage girls as producers.
5. Do not do so through a private hospital without involving nos; 1 and 2.
Hoping to add four more to my team. 🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️
I have a friend who turned 50 last year and has been married for years and still trusting God for babies.
ReplyDeleteI went with her to a govt orphanage sometime last year and we were directed to the ministry.
We got there, asked questions and got ushered into the office of the man in charge of the process.
We introduced ourselves and told him our mission,
My people, if you see the heap of folders from people that have previously applied eh...and are still waiting to be given kids
My heart just sunk, we thanked the man for his time and left.
It was on behalf of this my friend I applied for IVF giveaway some years back on this blog., Pls remember her in your prayers family.
That being said,
The legal process of adoption in Nigeria is gruelling, and too long.
Something should be done to fast track it.
Adoption process in Nigeria can be very difficult. With all the legal stuff involved and people who are suppose to be doing their job still wanting to exploit your condition by asking you to pay so you can get attended to on time. Most people go through the baby factory route without knowing thinking it's legit.
ReplyDeleteI know a couple who after several years of waiting decided to adopt. They adopted a very big beautiful and healthy baby girl. The baby was cute, one day she fell from her nanny's hand and that was when it was noticed that she had down syndrome or something of that nature. Her head was tilting to one side and she was always drooling. The little angel died few months later at 2 or 3 years. They went for another adoption, this time a son, he's about 8 years old now.
Before you adopt,seek the face of God.A man adopted a newborn,6yrs down the line he's now a thief. He stole the cousin's phone,his father's 10k and took it to school.He wasn't using those things he stole but I think the spirit of stealing is in his parents' blood.He in primary 1 but needs deliverance
ReplyDeleteSome children steal when they're young and later outgrow it. Just like my younger brother. He stole us blind, but he doesn't do it anymore. Nothing like stealing in his parents blood abeg
DeleteBlood of Jesus😦😦😦
DeleteHow many rapists and criminals and cultists were adopted. Please stop this RUBBISH
Delete15:43 respect yourself!.This boy is a son to my sister in law's husband's brother's son(Just crack ya brain to understand).Its likely the guy that got the lady pregnant is a rogue or thief.The 'father' who adopted him has four girls and kept complaining that he needed a boy. The wife wanted to try,he refused and went for adoption.
Delete15:12 his father is so rich and owns a big hospital. I didn't say all adopted kids,just ask God to guide u.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDietitian even biological children grow up to be thieves and rapists so change ur statement to before you have a child seek the face of God not before u adopt. I know adopted children who have grown up to be the blessings in the family and biological ones who have grown up to be the disgrace of the family so it can go anyway!!!
DeleteThese baby factories everywhere is really complicating issues. If you don't have millions it will be very difficult to adopt legally here. One of our family friends tried for years and then decided to go for surrogacy. Since the infertility is from the wife. The got a lady who signed with lawyers. She was paid half of the money. She got pregnant. After delivery, she handed the woman the child and was paid the remaining balance
ReplyDeleteAre people supposed to be paying to adopt children?
ReplyDeleteI would have recommended being on the lookout for any potential unwanted pregnancy. However, my concern is that the moment the pregnant mother is approached for the child, greedy family members would want to exploit the couple or worse use the lady to wreck the marriage.
My parents wanted to adopt a baby boy because we are all girls and the process took so long. They even got tired along the line, not to talk of money spent.
ReplyDeleteI got married along the line, yet no result. But my last baby and my adopted brother is just 6 months apart.
My first son keep on asking me anytime my brother visited, "how can I senior my uncle". My son is 9 while my brother is 5.you can imagine what delay in adoption process caused.
Yes people pay to adopt, more like make huge donations and proof of financial stability (potato, potatoes) but adoption is a good thing. The problems with adoption in Nigeria include;
ReplyDelete1. Child trafficking - believe it or not, people adopt children for this purpose
2. Ritual killing - kids are also adopted for this
3. Tradition and personal belief - in most traditions, adopted kids are not accepted or given their adopted father or parents names. I've heard some sat an adopted child is not worthy to be a king (so to speak)
4. Greed - like most of you have stated, social workers take advantage of the situation
5.Religion - This is the worse most stupid reason. I don't even understand it myself but apparently it's a big deal
6. Spouse or partner - single parents find it difficult to adopt not just in Nigeria but worldwide since a kid needs a stable home. Secondly, some people have spouses who are not understanding to adoption and will never accept it.
Infact, most people adopt female children here in Nigeria because they strongly believe that there would be a struggle of inheritance if they adopt a boy and eventually birth a boy too.
I would love to adopt in a few years time,Hubby and i already discussed it before marriage. There's a white lady I follow on Instagram that adopted her three children,a black girl and boy, and a white boy from the day they were born, it's so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCome to perculia homes in Badore Ajah t’s easy to adopt a child there.
ReplyDeleteYou pay the govt not orphanages when you adopt and its nowhere near one million naira. When my hubby and I adopted we paid adoption fee and other miscellaneous fees totalling around N120k/N150k, and that was in 2019. We've however been on the waiting list since 2016 but got serious with the process in 2017, and we usually visited the govt orpahnage at Ibadan in Oyo state with gifts for the children every other weekend.You also need to be in constant touch with those in charge at the welfare office and orphanage.
ReplyDeleteI adopted two boys. One from Lagos state and another from cross river. It just a month difference between them. We didn't set out to have 2 boys at ones but when we couldn'tget a child from the orphanages in Lagos state even after an approval has been given by the state government, someone introduced us to a director in the welfare department in Crossriver who helped to fastrak the process and we were given a boy. A week after we were called by an orphanage in Lagos that they now have a baby boy for us, we decided to keep the 2 boys. They are now growing up like twins. They were 5 and 6 months when we adopted them, they are now 3 years. God blessed us with two sons after 11 years of marriage. The process is to apply, wait to be invited for interview with the welfare officers and later the commissioner for youth in Lagos state. If you pass the interview, your house will be inspected if it is conducive for kids and you submit your bank statements amongst other documents from your employers that will show you are capable of providing for a child, thereafter you are given an approval after making the necessary payments to the state government. In Lagos State,you go to an approved orphanage for a child of your choice, while in crossriver, the welfare officer gave us our son from the state orphanage.
ReplyDeleteThe process took us two years because we were lucky to have someone introduce us to Parmanent Secretary in both states.
Lucky you
DeleteGive us the link too,please. Someone helped you,help those in need too.
DeleteI would love to adopt a girl
ReplyDeleteMy dad adopted a boy because we are just girls. I don't really know the process he went through but I know it's my cousin and her hubby staying at Aba that helped him with the process. Though he wasn't a baby when he was adopted, he was like 2 or 3yrs old. I thank God for bringing him into our lives because he's the best baby brother anyone could ever ask for. He is a teenager now and can be stubborn at times, he's the apple of our eyes in my family. He's super talented and people tend to like him easily. I know he's going to do great things in his time.
ReplyDelete