How Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi Is Raising the Bar for Leadership in Lagos’ Fight Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Domestic and sexual violence response in Lagos has been defined by public awareness, prevention and coordinated intervention, which is the focus of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, has said.
Since the agency’s inception in 2021, Vivour-Adeniyi has spearheaded the dissemination of information on violence beyond the confines of government offices to schools, communities, health care facilities and other places where children and families can be found.
Her approach acknowledges that children can be impacted by violence even if they are not the direct victims. According to the data from DSVA, 10,613 children were exposed to emotional abuse related to domestic violence in their homes from September 2021 to July 2026.
During the period, the agency received 33,009 cases of domestic and sexual violence, comprising 1,171 defilement cases, 797 child abuse and physical assault cases, and 1,861 family-related disputes, including neglect, abduction and child labour.
In addition to case recording, Vivour-Adeniyi has advocated for a response of awareness, support, justice and prevention. Since her appointment, the DSVA has collaborated with schools, health services, police, courts, community leaders, religious institutions and civil society to enhance the response to violence.
The agency has also been offering psychotherapy and counselling to children and affected people, assisting legal actions and rescue operations when people were in immediate danger.
The safeguarding message continues beyond institutional programmes through her public education work, such as books on domestic violence, sexual violence, self-love and body safety.
Vivour-Adeniyi’s work is a reminder of the importance of communities in Nigeria to identify early warning signs and speak up to make children’s lives safer.
