Nigerian parents living in the United Kingdom risk losing custody of their children when their parenting practices conflict with British child protection laws, professionals have warned.
The professionals, under the Association of Nigerian Social Workers in the UK, called on the Nigeria High Commission to collaborate with the group to educate and support Nigerian families on child safeguarding requirements.
The association’s President, Barizoge Neenwi, told Diaspora Tales that many Nigerians in the UK needed guidance from social workers to understand the country’s approach to parenting and child protection.
Neenwi said the association could work with the Nigerian mission to provide early intervention, education and support for families facing difficulties navigating the system.
“They need to be educated, enlightened, and supported and early intervention is the key. We have different Nigerians with different backgrounds, knowledge, expertise that can really work with our Nigerian High Commission to support our people,” she said.
She noted that some Nigerian parents, particularly those working multiple jobs to make ends meet, might not understand how social care services could support, empower and advocate for families.
Neenwi urged the Nigerian High Commission to work with the association to protect citizens and intervene when families require assistance.
Also, the association’s Secretary-General, Kemi Aare, warned that Nigerian parents could face intervention from UK authorities when physical punishment of children resulted in injuries or raised safeguarding concerns.
“In the United Kingdom, physical punishment that causes injury or raises safeguarding concerns can be regarded as physical abuse and may lead to intervention from children’s services,” Aare said.
She explained that many Nigerian families who migrated to the UK were still adjusting to differences in cultural expectations, parenting practices and child protection laws.
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“What may be considered normal parenting practice in one country can sometimes be interpreted differently under UK legislation and safeguarding expectations,” she said.
Aare identified domestic conflict, parental stress, mental health challenges, housing difficulties and inadequate family or community support networks as other factors that could contribute to child protection concerns.
She, however, stressed that the UK’s child protection system was primarily designed to safeguard children and support families, adding that removing a child from parental care was generally considered a last resort.
“The removal of a child is generally considered a last resort when professionals believe there is a significant risk of harm and all other options have been explored,” she said.
There have been reports of Nigerian families losing custody of their children to British authorities under different circumstances.
In January 2025, a Nigerian mother living in Durham, England, appealed to the Nigerian High Commission and the Federal Government after social services took her children into care following an allegation made by her daughter against her husband.
The woman said her husband was arrested on December 3, 2024, after their daughter made a disclosure to school authorities.
She claimed that although the girl later withdrew the allegation, social services removed the children from the family on December 12.
The mother subsequently called on Nigerian authorities to intervene in the matter.
The Association of Nigerian Social Workers in the UK comprises qualified social workers committed to supporting Nigerians in the diaspora, promoting professional excellence and strengthening child safeguarding standards.
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