The MoU was the culmination of a two-day high-level consultation and technical working session focused on strengthening institutional capacity around child rights. The engagement brought together key stakeholders from academia, and UNICEF.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF Representative in The Gambia, emphasised the transformative potential of this collaboration:
"This agreement formalizes our collaboration to establish a Child Rights Centre at UTG to serve as a national resource center for advancing evidence-generation, promoting academic leadership on child rights, and equipping students and academic staff to become advocates and change-makers."
She praised the leadership of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and the University of The Gambia, as well as the contributions from UNICEF Greece. Ms. Shafique highlighted that the MoU reflects UNICEF’s core belief in the role of higher education institutions as catalysts for systemic change in children’s rights.
The initiative responds directly to the 2025 Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which urged The Gambia to integrate child rights education across all levels. As the country commemorates the Day of the African Child under the theme: “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress since 2010”, the establishment of the Child Rights Centre aligns with efforts to improve accountability and resource allocation for children.
Professor Kayode Adekeye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of UTG, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and underscored the university's commitment to turning the MoU into practical action:
"We are well-equipped and have gained valuable knowledge on child rights over the past two days. The Child Rights Centre at UTG will not just be a symbolic initiative, but a dynamic hub for education, advocacy, and community outreach."
He encouraged students to take up child rights as part of their advocacy agenda, engaging with communities and religious leaders to raise awareness. He reaffirmed that the university will ensure the full implementation of the MoU's provisions.
The signing of the MoU comes shortly after the successful launch of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program at UTG, another joint effort between UNICEF, the Ministry of Gender, and UTG aimed at strengthening the national child protection workforce.
As UNICEF celebrates 60 years of partnership with the people and government of The Gambia, this latest initiative stands as a testament to its enduring commitment to ensuring no child is left behind.
The Child Rights Centre, once operational, is expected to serve as a national think tank, bridging policy, research, and education towards a more child-sensitive future for The Gambia.
