By Funmilayo Olagunju

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A child is a person under the age of majority i.e a minor. The concept of “adulthood” can be subject to social, cultural or legal interpretation.

There are different legislations that define a child or age of adulthood. By the provision of the Child Right Act (2003), a child is a person under the age of 18. Regardless of the stature, social status or cultural perception of a person under the age of 18, s/he remains a child in respect to the provisions contained in the Act.

Section 24 of the Child Right Acts ,2003 prohibits the making of Tattoos and body marks on a child. The section provides:

(1) No person shall tattoo or make a skin mark or cause any tattoo or skin mark to be made on achild.

(2) A person who tattoos or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under this Act andis liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Five thousand naira or imprisonment for a term notexceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment. 

By virtue of this provision, a person under the age of 18 is not eligible to make a tattoo on his her body.

It is also unlawful to make any skin mark on a child as a parent, guardian or care giver. The laws protects the health, safety, emotional well-being, look and overall well-being of a child.

The habit of causing deformity on the skin of a child under the disguise of “discipline” is unlawful.

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” Eph. 6:4 NKJV.