In recent years, I have watched with growing concern as many Nigerians discuss cases involving children and sexual abuse without fully understanding what paedophilia is. Too often, public conversations are clouded by culture, religion, status, sentiment, and celebrity worship rather than facts. As a result, individuals who should be condemned for their sexual attraction to children sometimes receive sympathy, protection, and even admiration. This ignorance is dangerous because it places vulnerable children at greater risk while normalizing behaviours that should never be tolerated in any civilized society.
Paedophilia refers to a persistent sexual attraction to prepubescent children. Hebephilia: attraction to early adolescents (roughly puberty onset to mid-teens, ~11–14). Ephebophilia: attraction to late adolescents (mid-to-late teens, ~15–19). It is important to state clearly and unequivocally that under no circumstance should an adult be sexually attracted to a child. A child cannot give informed consent to sexual activity with an adult. The issue is not whether the child appears mature, is physically developed, or is approaching adulthood. The issue is that children lack the emotional, psychological, and legal capacity to consent to relationships with adults. Any adult who seeks sexual gratification from a child is violating that child’s rights, safety, dignity, and trust.
One of the greatest misconceptions in Nigeria is the belief that sexual abuse of children only occurs when strangers are involved. In reality, children are often abused by people they know and trust—family members, teachers, religious leaders, neighbours, mentors, and other authority figures. The abuse is frequently hidden behind respect, influence, spiritual authority, fear, manipulation, or emotional dependency. This is why safeguarding children requires more than simply warning them about strangers; it requires accountability for everyone entrusted with their care.
Another uncomfortable question Nigerians must confront is whether the widespread acceptance of child marriage in some communities has helped normalize behaviour
that should be challenged. For generations, child marriage has been defended using cultural, religious, and economic arguments. While supporters often frame it as tradition, critics argue that it places children in situations where adults exercise power over individuals who are not yet mature enough to make life-altering decisions. The normalization of child marriage has sometimes made those who oppose it appear to be enemies of culture, religion, or progress when, in reality, they are advocating for the protection of children.
My concern about this issue is not merely academic. At about eleven years old, I was placed under the religious and spiritual authority of an individual whom I later came to recognize as a paedophile. At that age, I did not possess the knowledge or language to understand what I was witnessing, his biological daughter was not excluded, and many parents entrusting their teen daughters to a religious figure. Like many children, I trusted authority because I was taught to do so. It was only years later, after gaining knowledge and understanding, that I began to connect the dots and recognize the nature of the danger that existed around me. In my book, Escape Mental Torture, I shared an eyewitness account that reflects some of these realities and the lasting impact such experiences can have on a child’s perception of trust and authority.
One of the most disturbing realities about child sexual abuse in Nigeria is how easily public sympathy can shift from the child to the offender. In a recent case that generated widespread public debate, a man who had been convicted by a court of law, sentenced to prison, and had served his sentence continued to enjoy significant public support. Rather than focusing on the welfare of the child involved, many supporters turned their attention to attacking the adults who reported the abuse. The child’s guardian was accused of orchestrating a setup, despite the fact that concerns had first been raised by the child herself after becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the offender’s conduct. What disturbed me most was not simply the crime itself but the public reaction to it. Instead of asking how a child could be protected, many people questioned the motives of those who sought evidence and reported the abuse. The guardian’s reputation and career reportedly suffered severe damage as she was vilified and ostracized by sections of the public. This response exposes a troubling reality in our society: many people still regard sexual interest in children as a weakness to be excused rather than a danger to be confronted.
Through research, observation, and personal reflection, I have come to understand that paedophilia is not something that disappears simply because society wishes it away. While criminal acts against children must be prosecuted and punished, imprisonment alone does not automatically eliminate an individual’s attraction to children. This reality makes prevention, early intervention, monitoring, and child protection systems even more important. In many Western countries, a prison sentence is often only one part of the response. Convicted child sex offenders may face long-term monitoring, restrictions on contact with children, reporting requirements, mandatory treatment programmes, and limitations on employment opportunities involving minors. These measures are not designed to punish indefinitely but to prioritize child protection and reduce the risk of future harm. Society must focus not only on punishment after harm occurs but also on safeguarding children before harm takes place.
Nigeria must move beyond treating child sexual abuse as a private scandal, a public relations crisis, or a matter of loyalty to influential personalities. We need stronger child safeguarding policies in religious institutions, schools, communities, and families. We need better support for victims, whistleblowers, and guardians who take risks to protect children. We must educate parents and communities about grooming, manipulation, and the warning signs of abuse. Most importantly, we must reject every attempt to justify or excuse an adult’s sexual attraction to children. No adult’s reputation, popularity, influence, social standing, or spiritual authority should ever matter more than the safety of a child. Protecting children should never be controversial. It should be a moral, social, and legal obligation that transcends culture, religion, politics, and personal relationships. A society that truly values its future must place the safety and well-being of its children above all else.
*Tolu Meduna is a Policy Communications, Development and Social Impact Consultant