The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concern over the inadequate protection of children in the North-East of Nigeria, warning that many still face severe risks ranging from malnutrition to lack of education and gender-based violence.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Thursday during an event to commemorate the 2025 World Children’s Day, the Officer-in-Charge of the UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, called for renewed investment in children’s rights, especially in the areas of protection and education.
Senesie said this year’s theme; “My Day, My Rights,” serves as a reminder that children must be guaranteed the rights to life, survival, health, and education.
“Children in North-East Nigeria face grave odds against malnutrition, being out of school, gender-based violence and other protection concerns,” he said. “The theme for this commemoration is a call to action to recognise and protect these rights.”
The UNICEF official highlighted ongoing interventions, noting that more than 250,000 children in Borno State accessed formal and non-formal basic education through UNICEF support in 2025.
He added that nearly 1.2 million children aged six to 59 months received two annual doses of vitamin A supplementation.
“In addition, 86,000 women, girls and boys in the state benefitted from gender-based violence risk mitigation, prevention and response services this year,” he said. “UNICEF, with support from donors and the government, also provided 33 schools and health centres with basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.”
Senesie urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to support vulnerable children, stressing that investing in their well-being is vital to the region’s long-term stability.
“I urge us to do more,” he said. “Protecting our children today is safeguarding our future. We must continue to collaborate and support those affected by conflict, displacement and poverty.”
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that every child in the Northeast “survives, thrives and fulfils their potential,” working in partnership with government and development actors.
Speaking at the event, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, said the state government remained committed to fully implementing and protecting children’s rights.
“The government of Borno State under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is irrevocably committed to ensuring that the rights of every child are not only recognised on paper but protected in reality,” she said.
As part of activities marking the day, a 16-year-old visually impaired student of Maiduguri Special School, Precious Joseph, served as Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs for one day in a UNICEF-led symbolic exercise.
During the ceremony at the state secretariat, Precious expressed gratitude for the opportunity and said she aspired to become a journalist in the future.
She pledged that, if given the chance in public office, she would prioritise ending street begging and ensuring that children with disabilities are enrolled in school.
“I appreciate UNICEF and the Borno State Government for providing an enabling environment for children with disabilities to thrive,” she said.