UNICEF Calls on Nigerian Government to Prioritize Early Childhood Education

UNICEF has urged the Nigerian government to make early childhood education a national priority by allocating more funds, improving teacher support, and integrating children’s rights into budgeting, as part of a broader call across Africa to ensure every child has access to quality foundational learning.

As the world marked the Day of the African Child, UNICEF made a strong appeal to the Nigerian government to place early childhood education at the center of its national development agenda. The agency emphasized that foundational learning is not only a fundamental human right but also the bedrock of a prosperous and equitable society.

In a media briefing held in Enugu, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, represented by Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, the Communications Officer, highlighted the urgent need for sustained political will and financial commitment to pre-primary and primary education. According to her, prioritizing early education is vital for breaking cycles of poverty, reducing inequality, and equipping future generations with the skills needed to thrive in a fast-changing world.

UNICEF called on African governments, particularly Nigeria, to allocate at least 20% of their annual budgets to the education sector, with no less than 10% of that dedicated specifically to primary education and early learning initiatives. This, the agency noted, would significantly enhance the quality of education, reduce dropout rates, and ensure every child has a fair start in life.

The theme of this year’s commemoration, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights,” serves as a reminder for governments to reflect on their past commitments and to strengthen implementation of child-focused policies and programs. Chiluwe stated that although progress has been made in some areas, millions of children across Africa still face barriers to quality education, including lack of access, poor infrastructure, underqualified teachers, and underfunded schools.

UNICEF also called for increased investments in the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified teachers, especially at the early childhood level. The agency stressed that teachers are the most critical in-school factor for learning, and they must be adequately supported with professional development opportunities and improved working conditions.

In closing, Chiluwe urged the Nigerian government to lead by example within the African Union by integrating children’s rights into national budgets and ensuring that every naira spent delivers measurable impact on children’s education and well-being. “Children are the future of this continent,” she said, “and the future must be built on a strong foundation of knowledge, care, and opportunity for every child.”

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, INDEPENDENCE