About Us

SMILE & SHINE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION is at the forefront of addressing issues of Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria. We believe that every child has a right to be safe and protected from sexual abuse and that adequate and appropriate interventions can be given to victims, together with their families.

We are confident that prevention is possible and that in the event of an abuse, a victim can get all the help and support.

We offer a conducive environment where disclosures can be made with utmost confidentiality.

Vision…

Smile and Shine Children’s Foundation vision is to be in the forefront of the fight against Child Sexual Abuse and to make Nigeria the safest place in the world to raise a child.

Mission…

Our mission reflects our vision. We seek to change society’s perspectives, beliefs and response to child sexual abuse, offer support and care to victims and their families and combat child sexual abuse.

How we operate

In support of our vision and mission, we have developed and adopted a 3 pier operational system that inform and inspire how we do what we do:

EDUCATE

We organize age-appropriate and evidence-based personal safety training programs for the Nigerian child in schools and communities.

EMPOWER

Training adults to become fully aware and fully motivated to protect the Nigerian children from sexual abuse,

PROTECT

Making sure community and government systems engage effectively and respond at all times in the best interests of the child.

STATISTICS

Understanding these facts about child sexual abuse can help you better protect the children in your life

1 in 4

girls will be victims of child sexual abuse

1 in 10

boys will be victims of child sexual abuse

60%

of abuse occurs within the family of the child

30%

of abuse occurs within known faces familiar with the family, remaining 10% are strangers

About the Founder

Dr. Nimi Stephanie Ekere
MBBS, FMCFM, FIMC, CMC

Dr. Nimi Stephanie Ekere is a highly respected Consultant Family Physician, Adolescent Health Specialist, Child Protection Advocate, Bestselling Author, International Speaker, Strategist, and Humanitarian Leader. Her work bridges clinical medicine, child advocacy, parenting education, youth empowerment, and public health leadership, creating lasting impact for children, families, and communities.

A medical doctor, she is a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Family Physicians (FMCFM, Nigeria), a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) with distinction in Time Management from the London Graduate School. She has extensive clinical and leadership experience in both public and private healthcare, including as a Consultant Family Physician at Reddington Multi-Specialist Hospital.