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The Procedures and Challenges of Child Adoption Practices in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Child Adoption and Family Studies
DOI: 10.64388/IREV9I12-1722318
Abstract
This study examines the procedures, challenges, and implementation of child adoption in Ondo State, Nigeria. Adoption is a legal and social process designed to protect abandoned, orphaned, and neglected children by placing them into permanent families. The research highlights the procedures involved, including application to the Ministry of Justice, investigation by social workers, court hearings, and issuance of adoption orders. It also identifies challenges such as complicated legal processes, weak enforcement, cultural resistance, religious bias, social stigma, and the existence of illegal adoption agencies. The study emphasizes the importance of adoption in giving care to children without parents, helping couples without children, and reducing child abandonment. Findings show that while adoption laws exist, their implementation is weak due to poverty, corruption, and cultural traditions that emphasize blood ties and inheritance. The study concludes by suggesting reforms such as stronger government enforcement, public education, and community support to make adoption more effective and widely accepted.
Keywords
adoption, procedures, challenges, policy, implementation
References
[1] Adebanjo, T. (2020). Legal foundations of child adoption in Nigeria. Lagos: University of Lagos Press.
[2] Adeyemi, K. (2023). Challenges of adoption law enforcement in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.
[3] Afolabi, J. (2022). Cultural stigma and adoption practices in Yoruba communities. Akure: Sunshine Publishers.
[4] Akinwale, S. (2025). Inheritance traditions and adoption resistance in Yoruba culture. Ile-Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press.
[5] Bello, R. (2023). Social welfare and adoption policy in Nigeria. Abuja: National Policy Review Journal.
[6] Eze, C. (2022). Urban and rural differences in adoption practices. Enugu: Eastern Academic Press.
[7] Johnson, M. (2020). Adoption procedures and family law in Nigeria. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books.
[8] Musa, H. (2021). Islamic perspectives on adoption and fostering. Kano: Islamic Studies Review.
[9] Okon, P. (2021). Christian teachings and adoption practices in Nigeria. Calabar: Faith and Society Journal.
[10] Ojo, K. (2024). Inheritance rights and adoption law in Yoruba communities. Lagos: Legal Studies Review.
[11] Oladipo, F. (2020). Medical concerns in adoption: Genetic link and family health. Ibadan: Nigerian Medical Journal.
[12] Omotayo, L. (2025). Illegal adoption agencies and baby factories in Nigeria. Abuja: Human Rights Watch Nigeria Report.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722318,
author = {Ogunleye Oluwole Festus},
title = {The Procedures and Challenges of Child Adoption Practices in Ondo State, Nigeria.},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {12},
pages = {3918-3933},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722318.pdf},
abstract = {This study examines the procedures, challenges, and implementation of child adoption in Ondo State, Nigeria. Adoption is a legal and social process designed to protect abandoned, orphaned, and neglected children by placing them into permanent families. The research highlights the procedures involved, including application to the Ministry of Justice, investigation by social workers, court hearings, and issuance of adoption orders. It also identifies challenges such as complicated legal processes, weak enforcement, cultural resistance, religious bias, social stigma, and the existence of illegal adoption agencies. The study emphasizes the importance of adoption in giving care to children without parents, helping couples without children, and reducing child abandonment. Findings show that while adoption laws exist, their implementation is weak due to poverty, corruption, and cultural traditions that emphasize blood ties and inheritance. The study concludes by suggesting reforms such as stronger government enforcement, public education, and community support to make adoption more effective and widely accepted.},
keywords = {adoption, procedures, challenges, policy, implementation},
month = {June},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I12-1722318}
}