Children’s Day: V-PeSDI Calls for Support as 90 Million Nigerian Children Face Daily Hardship

As the world marked International Children’s Day, the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) called on stakeholders to address the needs of vulnerable children, particularly in countries like Nigeria.

During an event held for children in Kano State, V-PeSDI Coordinator Hannatu Suleiman Abba emphasized the need for action to protect children from poverty, exploitation, and lack of basic services.

“We must do more than celebrate Children’s Day. It should be a moment of deep reflection, policy re-evaluation, and commitment to action. Vulnerable children should not be forgotten in our development agendas,” Abba said.

Quoting data from UNICEF, she said over 1 billion of the world’s more than 2 billion children face poverty, poor health, limited education, and threats from conflict, disability, and exploitation.

“Nigeria alone accounts for over 90 million vulnerable children,” she added, “and we continue to grapple with issues like out-of-school children, child labour, and the displacement of children in conflict-affected regions. These are not just numbers; they are lives at risk.”

She also mentioned challenges in countries such as India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Afghanistan, including hunger, child soldier recruitment, malnutrition, and child marriage.

“Developing countries need global solidarity in reshaping the narrative for children. The right to food, education, safety, and healthcare is non-negotiable. These are not privileges—they are rights,” she stated.

V-PeSDI called for implementation of child protection laws, especially at the local level, and said Kano State should be an example.

The group listed basic needs for vulnerable children, such as clean water, food, shelter, inclusive education, school materials, healthcare, mental health services, and protection from abuse.

“Beyond material support, we must invest in legal frameworks, community empowerment, and inclusive systems that safeguard the future of every child. Our children deserve to dream, learn, and live in safety,” said Abba.

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