UNICEF and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) warned Tuesday that Nigeria’s rapidly worsening child welfare indicators now amount to a national emergency, with millions of children lacking safe water, quality education, healthcare, and basic protection.
At a World Children’s Day symposium attended by government officials, media leaders, and civil society, participants agreed that Nigeria must urgently accelerate reforms to protect children amid rising insecurity and collapsing social services.
NGE President Eze Anaba said Nigeria is in a “state of emergency,” warning that children are now the primary victims of violence, kidnappings, and school attacks.
“At no other time since the Civil War has the condition of our children been this uncertain,” he said, noting that schools meant to educate are instead “turning into centres of war.”
He stressed that with children making up half of Nigeria’s 220 million people, the crisis threatens the country’s future. Nigeria now has the world’s highest out-of-school population.
UNICEF Representative Wafa Saeed said millions of Nigerian children are unvaccinated, malnourished, and unable to read by age 10.
She urged full implementation of the Safe School Declaration, warning that at the current pace, progress is too slow and “too many children are being left behind.”
Michel Deelen, the Netherlands Consul General in Lagos, described the condition of many Nigerian schools — without roofs, water, sanitation, or teachers — as “unacceptable,” reaffirming Dutch support for UNICEF’s work. DAME Chairman Lanre Idowu emphasized development-focused journalism, saying safeguarding children today is essential for Nigeria’s future.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Ronak Nkan highlighted severe regional inequalities, noting that while 90% of households in Lagos have safe water, only 3% do in Kebbi.
“No child should suffer because of geography,” she said.
Government officials outlined ongoing interventions for out-of-school children, including the National Commission for Out-of-School Children, AGILE, and the Lumina Project, and announced a forthcoming National Menstrual Health Policy to help girls stay in school.
The National Orientation Agency said it is expanding nationwide campaigns on child rights.
Senior editors urged prioritization of safe schools, healthcare, and protection services while pushing for accountability in policy implementation.
UNICEF youth advocate Tinafi Akau called for tech-driven solutions, including AI early-warning systems to prevent kidnappings and government-funded digital skills for vulnerable children.
Participants agreed that protecting Nigerian children requires stronger collaboration across all levels of government, partners, civil society, and the media.
