The article reflects on Children’s Day in Nigeria, stressing that the country’s future is already deeply tied to its children, who make up nearly half of the population.

It argues that despite repeated political promises, there is a wide gap between what the state says it will provide and what children actually experience in terms of education, health, and protection.

The writers highlight that over 10 million Nigerian children are currently out of school, while many who attend school are still unable to read or comprehend basic texts due to poor learning conditions and lack of teachers.

The piece also draws attention to severe social challenges affecting children, including child marriage, with reports indicating that one in two girls in rural areas is married before the age of 18.

It further notes that millions of women have gone through this experience, showing how widespread the issue remains despite existing laws like the Child Rights Act.On health, it points out that about 2.2 million children have never received any vaccination, not because they are unreachable, but due to weak political will and system failures.

While acknowledging progress such as the eradication of wild polio in Nigeria and improvements in child survival rates, the article argues that these gains show what is possible when there is commitment.It criticises underfunding in education and health, noting that budget allocations still fall short of international recommendations.

The authors call for stronger enforcement of laws, better funding, and consistent political will to ensure children are properly educated, protected, and supported.Ultimately, it concludes that Nigeria’s failure is not lack of capacity but lack of consistent priority for children’s welfare.