The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concerns over the state of youngsters’ welfare in the North-East, noting that 72 percent of pupils, who complete primary school in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, cannot read basic text.
Speaking at a media briefing in Maiduguri as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Children Day event, the officer-in-charge of UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, added that only 62 per cent transit to the Junior Secondary School after completing their primary school.
He noted that an estimated two million children remain out-of-school across the region, while about 12 local government areas in Borno and Yobe continue to report high numbers of unvaccinated children, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
“Despite improvements in school enrollments, an estimated 2 million children remain out of school in the region. Moreover, 72 per cent of the children who completed primary school can not read simple texts, and only 62 per cent transition to Junior Secondary School.
“We must ask ourselves: Are we truly unlocking the potential of our children, our untapped treasures? Are we dismantling the barriers to their growth and safeguarding their future?” Senesie queried.
Senesie reminded of the grim realities facing children in Nigeria’s conflict-affected region, describing them as the country’s “most neglected, yet most invaluable resource.”
According to him, only three in 10 children in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States have had their births officially registered, depriving them of legal identity and excluding them from essential services, such as healthcare, education, and social protection.
Despite the challenges, Senesie acknowledged the progress made by state governments. He praised the implementation of the Child Protection Law, open defecation-free declarations in five local government areas, and Borno State’s N100 million contribution to the child nutrition fund. He also commended the inauguration of 27 local government committees on food and nutrition as significant steps to move the region forward.
“I commend the governments in Northeast Nigeria for achieving key milestones, including the implementation of the Child Protection Law, open defecation-free declarations in five local government areas. N100 million contributions from Borno State to the Child Nutrition Fund, and the inauguration of 27 Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition in Borno State.
“These actions demonstrate political will and leadership. However, we must maintain and build on this momentum. Let us seize this moment to tackle barriers to nutrition, immunisation, birth registration, education, child protection, water, and sanitation,” he advised all the stakeholders.
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to these goals, disclosing that in 2024 alone, nearly 600,000 children in the northeast were treated for severe acute malnutrition, 2.48 million under-five children received vitamin A supplements, while 1.2 million were immunised with the pentavalent vaccine.
He reassured that UNICEF will remain a voice for every child, working closely with the government and partners to ensure that children in the region not only survive, but thrive and realise their full potentials.
