Children demand better funding for education as Nigeria commemorates the Day of the African Child in Abuja.
Nigeria has joined other African nations to mark the Day of the African Child with renewed calls for greater investment in education, healthcare, and child protection.
Speaking at an event in Abuja, organised by UNESCO in collaboration with Save The Children Nigeria, PLAN and other stakeholders, the Speaker of the Nigerian Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Progress Friday Umoh, urged government leaders to fulfil promises under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which calls for adequate funding and child participation in decision-making.
“We see the budgets, but the impact is missing in our schools and communities, as children from across the country highlighted challenges such as broken classrooms, lack of textbooks, and poor healthcare services. Umoh said,
The parliament called for increased budget allocations, transparency in spending, and stronger child-inclusive policies, saying children should be treated as active stakeholders.
In a similar message, Â Head of the UNESCO Office in Nigeria Albert Mendy, represented by the National Project Officer (Education for Health and Well-being) Mr Oladeji Adeyemi, stressed the importance of translating commitments into action.
Adeyemi said UNESCO is working to reduce out-of-school children and promote digital literacy, peace education, and inclusive learning, while warning that millions of children still face poverty, conflict, and discrimination.
He also acknowledged contributions from Sweden, Norway, and France towards projects aimed at improving child health and well-being in 33 African countries, including Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the House Committee on Women’s Affairs and Social Development, urged Nigerian children to remain focused and avoid negative peer pressure, while revealing plans by the National Assembly to establish Safe Haven and Empowerment (SHE) Centres to support abused children and women.
The Day of the African Child, observed annually on June 16, commemorates the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa, when students protesting for quality education were killed. This year’s theme is “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress since 2010.”
About the Author
