The centre, located at the Aba General Hospital, was established by the Abia State Government in collaboration with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Otti commended stakeholders for their commitment to tackling GBV and lauded the commissioners for Justice, Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, and Health for their roles in delivering the project.

He also appreciated the European Union for its one-year support and expressed hope for an extension of the partnership.

“We hope to get to a level where such centres become unnecessary because the acts are abnormal,” the governor said, describing sexual assault and child molestation as aberrations that require societal reorientation.

He further directed his Special Adviser on Health to assess dilapidated structures within the hospital premises and submit proposals for retrofitting, expressing confidence that the facilities would meet acceptable standards within a year.

‘GBV Under-Reported’

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described gender-based violence as pervasive and largely under-reported nationwide.

She noted that GBV affects women, men, girls and boys in physical, emotional and digital forms, and said the new facility would provide safe and confidential medical, psychosocial and legal services for survivors.

According to her, as of November 2025, Nigeria had 50 sexual assault centres across 24 states, assisting more than 58,000 survivors — a figure she described as insufficient when measured against reported and unreported cases.

She also warned about rising technology-facilitated violence, including cyberstalking and digital harassment, stressing that institutional responses must evolve to address emerging threats.

The minister commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring 2026 the Year of Social Development and the Family and praised the Abia State Government for prioritising the protection of women and children.

‘Help Is Here’

The Wife of the Governor, Priscilla Otti, described the centre as a symbol of hope, protection and accountability for survivors, noting that her office receives numerous distress calls daily.

“Today, we say clearly that help is here,” she said, urging survivors to report cases promptly.

Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, said the centre would eliminate the trauma survivors often face when moving between hospitals, police stations and other agencies in search of help.

“With Nchedo SARC, survivors can now access emergency medical treatment, forensic examination, post-exposure prophylaxis, counselling, legal guidance and referrals to shelter and social services under one roof,” she said.

She added that the centre would operate 24 hours daily and provide free, confidential services. The initiative also forms part of a broader justice reform effort, including a Sexual Offenders Register domiciled at the Ministry of Justice.

International Support

A representative of the World Bank, Michael Ilesanmi, described the centre as reinforcing Abia’s commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment under the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Programme.

Danladi Plang, head of the International IDEA/Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, called for sustained funding, replication of the model across the state and stronger prosecution mechanisms.

Ruben Alba Aguilera of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS disclosed that the EU had invested over N2 billion in supporting Sexual Assault Referral Centres across Nigeria and urged authorities to ensure sustainability beyond donor funding.

The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Ministries of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Health, Justice and Women Affairs to strengthen inter-agency cooperation in operating the centre.