How to Start an Orphanage in Nigeria

Institutions that are dedicated to caring for orphans are known as orphanages. The aim of an orphanage is to provide shelter, care, love, and protection to orphans and vulnerable children.

An orphan is any individual who has lost either one or both parents by death. Orphans can be cared for at home by close relatives or in institutions by other people.

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development estimates that there are 17.5 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) nationwide.

An orphanage is a non-profit organization. Thus, it should not be set up with the intention of making money but with the sole aim of catering to these vulnerable children.

The increasing number of orphans will adversely affect the existing facilities and best practices in orphanages if there are no plans to accommodate the anticipated increase in demands. Therefore, there is a need for one or an organizational body to start a good and well-facilitated orphanage home.

The concept of orphanage best practices deals with the provision of basic rights of the children in orphanages, such as the right to birth registration, education, health services, adequate nutrition, safe and potable water, good housing, adequate toilet facilities, presence of playground, and playing materials such as toys; the provision of adequate security for the children; and the adequate number of caregivers in the institution.

Do I need the training to start an orphanage?

The answer is simply yes; one needs training before starting up an orphanage. Even the Bible says in Proverbs 19:2: It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor is it good to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.

Therefore, before one starts an orphanage home, he or she should acquire and do the following:

  • Volunteer in an orphanage
  • Acquire professional training
  • Conduct adequate research

Requirements for an Orphanage Startup

Before starting up an orphanage, your plans should be derived from the National Plan of Action for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as current best practices and programs that are globally acceptable.

The following constitute the minimum package of services and rights that must be provided to each child by anybody or party to care for, support, and protect orphans and vulnerable children:

  • Education
  • Food/Nutrition
  • Psychosocial support
  • Health
  • Shelter
  • Child protection (protection from exploitation, abuse, and neglect)
  • Clothes
  • Household economic strengthening

To achieve or meet the above minimum packages and/or to start up an orphanage home, the following requirements are needed:

  1. Raising of funds
  2. Good location
  3. Get registered: The government strictly regulates the establishment and operation of orphanages. It is illegal, even criminal, to start an orphanage in Nigeria without first going through the necessary registration process. The registration process and the penalty for defaulters are captured in the Child Rights Act. It is absolutely important that you register first with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a non-profit organization under Section C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.
  4. Have a Non-Profit business plan drafted
  5. Publicize your Orphanage
  6. Create an online presence
  7. Build trust

Objectives of Starting up a Nigerian Orphanage

  • To set a high standard for child welfare in Nigeria by building and managing model middle-class residences that are well-equipped to satisfy the needs of the kids to a financial, psychological, and emotional degree.
  • To be truthful, honest, sincere, open, and transparent in all our dealings.
  • To make sure that the interests of the child are prioritized when making important decisions or implementing policies.
  • To do more on destigmatizing the fears associated with adoption and fostering by spreading awareness on benefit of both and collaborating with all key stakeholders to make sure it is less challenging for sincere and responsible families to adopt children.
  • Starting up an orphanage to serve orphans in God’s name makes you a man or woman of God, even if you wouldn’t call yourself that. In essence, working for God is not only about good work; it is spiritual warfare, and the devil will do everything in his power to frustrate the work.
  • One needs to be trained and ready to spend time interceding and praying for the orphans that he/she serves.

41 thoughts on “How to Start an Orphanage in Nigeria”

  1. Ataga victory o.

    Good day sir /ma. My deep concern and passion towards owning an orphanage home drove me to your page. My question is that, how can I get the support that I need to make this a reality.
    Thank you Sir/ma

  2. Chukwuma Florence Amarachi

    Thanks for the information so far. Is been my desire from a young age to have a home and a school (free) for children, and for two years now the desire is more because I can hardly sleep without seeing myself caring for a baby that needs help either on the road or parents are dead. There has been a lot of experience so I REALLY NEED HELP TO START. Thank you
    # Can I start an orphanage in my home if i have space?
    # How do I get the children to start with?
    # Will it be good to run a home and a crech at the same time?

  3. Vera Williams

    Hello, I will love to start an orphanage home in my community please, how do i go about it? And how can i get the children?

  4. God bless you ma, I really have passion in having an orphanage home but I really don’t know how to go about it, I believe am in the right hands to lead me.

  5. I am willing to partner with you. I have a vision to set up an orphanage home and school for since 1993 but has not come to actualisation. I pray that God will help our dreams come through

  6. I have the vision of owning an orphanage home , caring, clothing, feeding etc for children…I will love to partner with you…money has also been my challenge as well…But I believe with God money will be made available for us to start an orphanage.

  7. most times i wonder what those children are going through,i know its not easy with even having both parents i still have to go through many things.it has always been my dreams to own an orphanage but no fund,and so many other challenges,and i wish to be of help in so many other ways and i hope i finally get to own one in the future.

  8. Who is going to be my partner, because I really love children and I will to give them what ever they want,so that’s why have been looking for a partner to start up with

  9. bintu ibrahim iyabo

    I hate people suffering mostly the children, I have the passion to own an orphanage for a very long time now but I don’t have money to start up. Please if there is anyone that I can be of help; I am fully ready and available.

  10. I have passion and love for children and I hate seeing them suffering unnecessarily.
    Pls I will love to have an orphanage,how can I get lecture about it.

  11. I also have an intention to run an orphanage after I retired from public service in few years. It always good to give an helping hands.

    1. Kusimo Abosede

      It has been my dream to establish an orphanage ever since I was little. Presently I am 37 years of age and I want to dedicate an orphanage when I clock 40.
      Please I need gurdiance on how to go about it. Thank you.

  12. Ajayi Elizabeth

    I will really love to open an orphanage home we’re can I get children and were can I learn how to run an orphanage home

  13. Zaynab Abdulyakeen

    Good day sir I will want to start up an orpanage home in my community and I wish to have a one on one interaction with u on how to start it up

  14. Olowolabi Motirola Esther

    I am still a student but I would love to start up an orphanage..i volunteered in feed the Orphans last year and it was really an awesome experience…i would like to go into it fully..how do I go about it?

  15. Hello am Daniel by name 20yrs old pls I would like to partner with people in Nigeria to raise up an orphanage home

  16. H there
    Im planning in moving to Nigeria my husband country of origin, and my dream is to help the vulnerable children out there, I have many people that is willing to assist once im there, how do i go about it
    Thank you

  17. Thelma Walters

    I will like to own orphanage how do l start? When you start an orphanage how do you get children in the home? 07035021101

  18. Uwabor Goodness Nneka

    From my teaching experience I have fallen in love with children and I have long to be with kids all days of my life that is why I want to set up an orphanage home to take off the less privilege children out there to show them love and care.

  19. sandra sylvanus

    Waoooo, iam happy to come across this post. I have an intention of opening an orphanage home. Please i need more advice and directions from experience mentors.thank you.

  20. Hello,my dreams is having an orphanage home,I really can stand seeing children suffering,I need help on how to start it in my community.

  21. I want to start an orphanage home , please sir how can i have a personal discussion with you sir. Thanks very much

  22. Hello, thanks for the write up.
    Pls my sister in USA is planning to established an orphanage home in Nigeria. Can we have a one on one talk/chat sir. Kindly mail me your contact / whatsapp no.
    Thank you

    1. By the Grace and Will of God, I will open an Orphanage in Africa. Would love to partner with others who share the same vision.

      1. Hello, I know you posted a long time ago but if you read this did you open an orphangage, I am God willing trying to start a charity with my Nigerian friend and also by the will of God we would like to open an orphanage. We would also love to partner with those who feel the same.

          1. my name is Patricia ogbo a graduate from Abubakar tafawa balewa university Bauchi state. I have passion and love for children ever since I was growing up.I want to have a school and an orphanage home.please how can I go about it.thank you.090131558800

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