UNICEF Warns of Alarming Child Welfare Statistics in Nigeria, Canvasses Media Action
Funmi Ogundare
Christian Munduate, UNICEF’s Nigeria Representative, weekend, called on the media to prioritise children’s issues and raise awareness to foster a culture of accountability within society.
Munduate made this known at a symposium in Lagos, themed “Reinforcing the Role of Media in Mainstreaming Child Rights”, as part of World Children’s Day celebrations.
The event brought together renowned editors, seasoned journalists, broadcasters, government officials, private sector representatives, influencers, and child rights advocates to discuss the pressing issues affecting children in Nigeria.
She highlighted the critical role of the media in advocating child rights, emphasising the need for them to make children’s welfare a central focus in their reportage through high-quality investigative stories that go beyond individual cases and follow up on long-term solutions.
According to her, “you need to make it a long-term vision,” she said, “so that you can contribute towards ensuring that government, religious and traditional leaders, communities, and families are equipped with the right information.”
She pointed out that the media holds a unique power to connect with the public and shape societal attitudes.
“By using your platform, you can inform the public about the state of children, raise awareness, and encourage everyone to understand their role in ensuring the well-being of children,” she added.
Munduate stressed that the influence of media professionals could drive meaningful behavioral change by reaching both policymakers and everyday citizens.
“Your words are powerful. You can reach millions and have a lasting impact on entire communities,” she stated.
The UNICEF representative also highlighted alarming statistics about the state of children in Nigeria, including the fact that one in two children lives in poverty, 41 out of every 1,000 newborns die from complications, 40 per cent of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition, and 2.1 million children remain unvaccinated.
She also mentioned the troubling issue of open defecation in the poorest households.
While acknowledging UNICEF’s role in providing vital data on children’s welfare, Munduate explained that the true impact comes from the media’s ability to engage communities, translating complex data into accessible language to raise awareness and drive action.
Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, echoed the need for the media to focus on telling the right stories and urging Nigerian leaders to invest in children’s future.
“We need to help children confront these challenges so they can realize their full potential,” he stated.
Mr. Eze Anaba, President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), also addressed the media’s responsibility to advocate children’s rights and well-being.
He highlighted the critical need for the media to draw attention to issues like education and health disparities and mobilise public support to pressure policymakers.
“Nigeria is home to around 220 million people, nearly half of whom are children. While we celebrate the resilience of our young population, we must confront some harsh realities. Our role in mainstreaming child rights is vital,” Anaba said.
He emphasised that accurate data is the foundation for effective advocacy and urged the media to amplify the voices of children and uncover untold stories.
Speaking with journalists, Olugbenga Olayiwole, National Program Coordinator and Technical Lead for Rotary International’s PolioPlus Program, highlighted the importance of parents and caregivers in ensuring that children receive the polio vaccine.
“Ideally, two drops are sufficient, but we administer multiple doses to build immunity faster. There is no risk of overdose. Our goal is to ensure no child is left unvaccinated,” he said.
