The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that approximately 4.9 million children in Nigeria are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. This alarming statistic was highlighted in UNICEF’s 2024 State of Nigeria’s Children Report, which underscores the pressing challenges faced by the nation’s youngest population.
Alarming Figures and Challenges
Nigeria, home to 110 million children—nearly half of its total population—faces stark realities:
- Poverty: One in two children lives in poverty.
- Health:
- 2.1 million children have never received any vaccinations for preventable diseases.
- The newborn mortality rate is 41 per 1,000 live births.
- Almost 70% of households lack access to safe drinking water, contributing to widespread malnutrition and stunting in 40% of children under five years old.
- Climate Vulnerability: Nigeria is ranked as the second-highest climate risk country for children globally.
Education in Crisis
Education remains a critical concern, with 18.3 million children out of school, including:
- 10.2 million primary school-age children.
- 8.1 million secondary school-age children.
Other distressing educational statistics include:
- 73% of children aged 7 to 14 cannot comprehend simple sentences.
- 75% cannot perform basic arithmetic.
- Nearly 200,000 additional trained teachers are required to improve the teacher-to-student ratio.
Violence and Protection
The report revealed that 90% of children under five years have experienced some form of violence, further exacerbating the challenges of a safe and healthy upbringing.
Call for Increased Investments
UNICEF Representative Cristian Munduate emphasized the need for greater investments in health, education, and child protection. She urged that Nigeria must prioritize its children, stating,
“The prosperity of Nigeria should start with children. Resources must reach the most vulnerable to address malnutrition, lack of education, violence, and health disparities.”
Munduate also noted that the current budget allocations for education and health fall below international benchmarks, hindering efforts to address these critical issues.
Government and Private Sector Commitment
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, affirmed that Nigerian children remain a top priority for the government. He noted that the report would guide planning and implementation of impactful programs to tackle these challenges, stating,
“Through accelerated economic growth, social protection programs, and investments in nutrition and maternal-child health, we are committed to reducing child poverty.”
Tayo Aduloju, CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, described the situation as an existential crisis, warning that the nation’s future economic competitiveness and human capital development are at risk. He pledged ongoing support from the private sector to address these pressing issues.
Call to Action
The report concludes with an urgent appeal to stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society to rally around the needs of Nigerian children. Programs aimed at improving nutrition, ensuring education access, and addressing violence are not just interventions—they are a lifeline for the future of Nigeria.
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