Child maintenance in Nigeria: who pays, how much, and enforcement
Both parents must support their children. How maintenance is agreed, how courts assess it, and what to do when payments stop.
When parents separate, the children’s needs do not change. Nigerian law expects both parents to contribute to their upkeep, and courts can make and enforce maintenance orders.
The legal basis
- The Child’s Rights Act 2003 (and the state laws that adopt it) places the child’s best interests first and recognises parents’ duty to maintain their children.
- In divorce proceedings, the Matrimonial Causes Act allows the court to order maintenance for children of the marriage.
How much?
There is no fixed formula. Courts look at the child’s needs — housing, food, school fees, health, activities — and each parent’s means and earning capacity. Agreements that are realistic and recorded tend to hold up best.
Agreeing maintenance
- List the child’s actual costs.
- Decide who pays what, and how often.
- Put it in writing — and consider making it a consent order of court so it can be enforced.
When payments stop
A maintenance order can be enforced through the court. Keep a record of payments missed and any communication about them, and seek advice promptly — arrears are harder to recover the longer they build up.
Every situation is different — for advice on yours, speak with our team in confidence.