FG commits to reversing trend as UNICEF, on World Children’s Day, reveals 18m Nigerian children out of school
2.1m of children unvaccinated while 90% face violence, UNICEF further agonizes
An updated Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents (SitAn) report launched by the government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF, to mark this year’s World Children’s Day, has revealed a dire situation of the Nigerian youth, what with 10 million children of primary school age and eight million of secondary school age currently out of school.
Besides the depressing out-of-school-children syndrome, the report also showed that approximately 2.1 million children remain unvaccinated, 90 percent of children under five have experienced some form of violence while nearly 70% of households lack access to safe drinking water, emphasising the urgent need for strengthened child protection measures.
The report further revealed that 110 million Nigerian children—nearly half the population—live in poverty.
It also shows a newborn mortality rate of 41 per 1,000 live births and a staggering maternal mortality rate of 1,047 per 100,000 live births.
Nigeria also ranks second globally for climate risk to children, highlighting urgent humanitarian needs for 4.9 million children, compounded by inadequate birth registration—57% for those under five, with only 33% in low-income groups. Additionally, one in five households practices open defecation, a figure that rises to half among the poorest
UNICEF Country Representative Cristian Munduate, who addressed a gathering of leaders, educators, students and advocates at the World Children’s Day celebration event themed “Listen to the Future,” emphasised the pressing challenges faced by children in Nigeria and the urgent need to address them.
During the launch of the 2024 Updated Situation Analysis of Children in Nigeria, Munduate stated, “This report is not just about numbers; it’s about your realities. It shows us where we have made strides and where urgent work remains.”
Munduate, while acknowledging some progress, noted improvements in birth registration and a decline in child mortality rates. However, she stressed that these advancements are not sufficient, noting that “these figures reflect challenges that no child should endure.”
Munduate highlighted the resilience and aspirations of Nigerian youth, saying: “You dream of becoming doctors, teachers, artists, and leaders. Your dreams give us hope and remind us why our work is so important.”
She called on leaders and policymakers to view the Situation Analysis as a “call to action,” urging increased investments in health, education and child protection.
“Time is not on our side. Our children cannot wait any longer,” she declared, emphasizing the need for collaboration among all stakeholders—government, civil society, parents, teachers, and private sector leaders—to ensure that resources reach the most vulnerable children.
Reflecting on her experiences meeting inspiring young individuals across Nigeria, Munduate shared stories of children who overcome significant obstacles to pursue their education.
She affirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting these efforts and advocating for children’s rights.
“We are here for you, and we promise to continue listening to your voices,” she assured.
Munduate concluded by reiterating the importance of investing in quality education and healthcare access for all children.
“Dear children: you are not only the future of Nigeria—you are the present. Your voices matter, and your dreams deserve to be protected and nurtured,” she said, urging everyone present to join forces in building a better world for Nigerian children.
At the launch of the 2024 Updated Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in Nigeria, Vitalis Obi, representing Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, emphasised the government’s dedication to protecting children’s rights.
“I want to assure you that the Government of Nigeria will continue to protect the rights of children,” he stated, highlighting the recent passage of the Child Rights Act in 2023, which has been adopted by many states across the federation.
Obi said one of the key aspirations of the government, within the National Development Plan 2025 and the Renewed Hope Agenda, is to reduce poverty through social protection programmes targeted at children.
“As a government, we will achieve this through accelerated, sustained, inclusive economic growth and social protection initiatives,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of prioritising investments in nutrition and maternal and child health initiatives as part of their strategy.
“I am confident that the updated report launched today will enhance sector planning and implementation of our national development goals,” Obi concluded, urging collaboration among government agencies and development partners to realize these objectives.
Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Tayo Aduloju, on his part, emphasised the critical need to prioritize children’s issues within the national development agenda.
“We decided a long time ago that a child is not a side agenda; it is at the center of our development agenda,” he stated, underscoring the importance of integrating child welfare into economic planning.
He highlighted alarming statistics that reflect the dire situation facing Nigerian children.
“We have 20 million unregistered births and 23 million child marriages occurring annually in Nigeria. These figures are not just numbers; they reflect a future at risk,” he warned.
He pointed out that the combination of high rates of poverty and educational deprivation threatens to undermine the potential of Nigeria’s youth.
“The stunted human capital of the future is at risk,” he warned.
He called for a collaborative effort between the private sector and government to mobilize resources for child-focused initiatives.
“The first thing we’ve done is to ensure that children are not sidelined in our agenda,” Aduloju said, noting that NESG has made significant strides in advocating for children’s rights over the past five Nigerian economic summits.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator Mohammed Fall highlighted the immense potential and responsibility associated with Nigeria’s large youth population, which numbers nearly 110 million children and young people.
“This represents immense potential, but it also brings enormous responsibility to all of us,” he stated.
Fall acknowledged the progress made in recent years, citing improvements in birth registration rates and successful efforts to combat various health challenges.
“We celebrate the achievements we can all be proud of,” he said, emphasizing, however, that the significant challenges remain with millions of children in Nigeria still lacking access to quality education, healthcare, and basic inclusion.
“Nearly half of them live in poverty, and too many are exposed to violence and the effects of climate change,” he said.
Reflecting on this year’s World Children’s Day theme, “Listen to the Future,” Fall stressed the importance of respecting children’s rights and ensuring that their voices are heard.
“In Nigeria, this means committing to policies and actions that support every child, no matter where they are or the circumstances in which they live,” he said..
He drew attention to Action 34 from the Fact of the Future, a commitment by UN member states, including Nigeria.
“We will invest in the social and economic development of children and young people so they can reach their full potential,” he quoted.
This includes achieving universal health coverage for children and ensuring access to safe, inclusive, equitable, and quality education opportunities.
Fall called for increased investment in education so that every child can learn and thrive.
“We must strengthen our healthcare systems to ensure that no child is left behind,” he asserted.
He also emphasized the need for decisive action to protect children from violence and create safe environments for their growth.
“To the children of Nigeria: You are the future. You have dreams, talents, and an incredible capacity for change,” Fall concluded.
Represented by the Deputy Country Representative for UNICEF in Nigeria, Rownak Khan, who presented the report, Fall urged everyone to work collectively as a nation and global community to ensure that every Nigerian child has a future filled with hope and opportunity.
