The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the increasing number of Nigerian children living in poverty, with over 47 million children (47.4% of the child population) affected. According to the 2020 Multidimensional Child Poverty Analysis report, these children live in households earning less than the national poverty line of N137,430 annually.
UNICEF Officer-in-Charge Mohammed Kamfut emphasized the need for immediate action to address the worsening child poverty crisis, particularly in the North-East region. He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to advancing children’s rights and ensuring they have the necessary resources to survive, grow, and thrive.
Kamfut noted that while progress has been made in reducing poverty since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals, millions of children remain trapped in a cycle of deprivation. He emphasized the importance of increased government support for child welfare initiatives and pledged UNICEF’s contribution to the full realization of children’s rights through improved budgeting and funding for child-responsive programs.
The goal is to alleviate poverty, a major barrier to achieving the rights of all children, and make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending preventable child deaths, ensuring quality basic education, and protecting children from violence.