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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on the occasion of the 2025 Day of the African Child, has emphasised the urgent need for deliberate planning and budgeting to advance children’s rights across Nigeria.
Commemorating the historic June 16, 1976, Soweto children’s march against apartheid, Sulaiman-Ibrahim reminded Nigerians that “their sacrifice continues to echo across generations, calling us to uphold and advance the rights of every African child.”
She also acknowledged the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) for championing the observance and keeping children’s aspirations central to continental development.
This year’s theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” was described by the Minister as “a clarion call to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies; to State and Local Governments; to the private sector, civil society, and international partners: let us realign our priorities, re-evaluate our spending, and act with urgency.”
In a statement by her media aide, Jonathan Eze, the minister stressed, “Every Naira not invested in child development leaves a void in our national destiny.”
Highlighting the diverse challenges Nigerian children face, she painted a vivid picture of disparities: “From the bustling classrooms of Lagos to the rural hinterlands of Nasarawa, from the innovation hubs of Anambra to the riverine communities of Bayelsa, our children are united in a silent but urgent plea to be seen, heard, planned for, and better protected.” She drew attention to vulnerable groups in IDP camps across Maiduguri, Makurdi, and Yola, as well as the 1.4 million children displaced by climate emergencies in flood-prone areas like Mokwa. The Minister also sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s child marriage crisis, noting that “approximately 44% of girls in Nigeria are married before 18, a practice that perpetuates cycles of poverty and limits future opportunities.”
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On legislative progress, Sulaiman-Ibrahim affirmed, “As of today, the Child Rights Act is now law in all 36 States and the FCT. This is a remarkable achievement for Nigeria.” However, she cautioned that “domestication must go beyond legislation, it must be matched with proper gazetting, sufficient funding, and an unwavering commitment to full implementation.”
She further revealed ongoing efforts to align child-related laws with the Renewed Hope Agenda and global best practices, emphasizing a holistic approach that includes protection for the often-overlooked boy child.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry’s budget has been significantly enhanced. The Minister remarked, “This is a testament to this administration’s deep understanding that children’s rights and welfare are non-negotiable pillars of national development.”
Expressing gratitude to stakeholders, she said, “Your previous investments and policy support have laid the groundwork for the progress we see today. Now, more than ever, we must move with renewed resolve. Let us deepen our commitment, upscale our investment, and enhance accountability mechanisms in ways that directly impact children’s lives.”
The Minister also highlighted the National Children’s Parliament as “a classic illustration of our commitment to child participation in governance,” empowering children nationwide to engage policymakers.
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim urged collective action: “Let us plan with precision, budget with integrity, and act with urgency. Let us honour not just the memory of Soweto, but the promise of every Nigerian child. Because when we protect children, we preserve hope. When we invest in children, we secure the future. And when we listen to children, we shape a Nigeria that is inclusive, just, and truly great.”
