Children's Day: Poverty, Flawed Policies Jeopardising Nigerian Youths, Warn Experts

Child rights experts say Nigerian children face worsening conditions due to poverty, insecurity, and weak education systems, especially during this year’s Children’s Day. They warn that poor funding, inconsistent school policies, and economic hardship are increasing out-of-school numbers and exposing children to greater risks. They’re calling for joint action from government, communities, and institutions to protect children and improve access to quality education.

Daniel Momodu · May 27, 2026 · 42

Social commentators and child rights specialists have raised the alarm over the deteriorating living conditions of Nigerian children, pointing to widespread poverty, security threats, environmental challenges, and inconsistent educational frameworks as severe hazards to their future.

Speaking in light of this year's Children's Day celebrations, the experts underscored how macroeconomic hardships have left millions of families unable to provide basic nutrition, quality healthcare, and stable learning environments for their youngsters.

An early childhood development specialist, Mr Amusa Osanyin, heavily criticised the country's disjointed approach to public schooling, drawing attention to erratic educational guidelines, deficient programme execution, and a severe lack of funding for state-run schools.

He noted that deep-seated economic hardship and rampant insecurity across several regions have acted as massive deterrents, actively discouraging parents from sending their children to school and driving up the country's out-of-school population.

To arrest this decline, Osanyin called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder intervention. He urged state authorities, parents, religious institutions, and community leaders to build a unified front aimed at expanding educational access, safeguarding children from exploitation, and ensuring the protection of rights for the next generation.