How Nigerian NGO turned pain into purpose for juveniles in despair

…Supports 1,000 young 0ffenders

The Bonafide Advocator Initiative (BOFAI), a non-government organisation that provides legal representation to marginalised victims of injustice, has announced that it has supported more than 1,000 juveniles incarcerated in various correctional facilities across Nigeria.

BOFAI reached the milestone as part of its ongoing efforts to transform the lives of young people since its establishment five years ago, founder Oluwatobi Adetona said in a statement on Monday while marking the organisation’s fifth anniversary.

Adetona said BOFAI provided mentorship and equipped the individuals with essential life skills, legal education, and moral guidance to support their successful rehabilitation into society.

“Through our empowerment and reentry support program, we have prevented several potential cases of recidivism,” said Adetona, an experienced lawyer with passion for social justice advocacy.

“BOFAI achieved this by following up on affected juveniles after their release and helping them rebuild their lives. We also provided psychological, financial, economical, educational and housing support.”

Through BOFAI’s legal aid program, the organisation also provided legal representation to juveniles who have spent years awaiting trial, and eventually secured their release from correctional institutions.

Over the past five years, BOFAI brought attention to the challenges within Nigeria’s juvenile and criminal justice systems, particularly the lack of rehabilitation in correctional institutions.

The organisation highlighted concerns about insufficient reintegration support, which exposes juveniles and young people to stigmatization, along with broader issues such as homelessness and limited access to education and employment opportunities.

BOFAI also created awareness about the plight of incarcerated youths and the importance of fostering a society that embraces their reintegration, rather than pushing them further to the margins.

Adetona, who stands at the heart of BOFAI’s success, drives the organisation’s vision and growth with her passion for justice and human rights. Having witnessed firsthand the struggles of indigent youths and the gaps in Nigeria’s juvenile justice system, she set out to make a difference.