Adoption in Nigeria - A review of the Lagos cases

Two hundred and thirty six adoptions were granted from inception to December 1990 in Lagos State of Nigeria. There were 119 males and 117 females aged 0-17 years, most #op41.6#pc#cp of them were aged 0-4 years. Most of the adopters were married #op80.5#pc#cp. Christians #op80.9#pc#cp, literates #op71.2#pc#cp and aged, 26-70 years. Some women #op11.9#pc#cp who had had their children but wanted more were able to adopt to make up their desired number and 7.6#pc had more than one adoptee. There is a dearth of information on adoption in Nigeria and nothing is known about the behavioural#shemotional development of these children, their academic acheivements and eventual integration into the society. It is therefore suggested that research on adoption and the development of the adoptees thereafter should be encouraged.