By Chinenye Anuforo
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have implored the Nigerian media to leverage its power to uplift the lives of the nation’s 110 million children.
UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate, at a symposium, themed “Reinforcing the Role of Media in Mainstreaming Child Rights,” organised by NGE, the Diamond Award for Media Excellence in collaboration with UNICEF Nigeria, on Saturday, in Lagos, urged the media to leverage its power to shape policy, public opinion, and prompt action for children’s well-being.
“The media has the power to transform the lives of Nigerian children by prioritizing their issues,” Munduate emphasized. She cited alarming figures: nearly half of Nigerian children live in poverty, 67% face multidimensional deprivations, 2.1 million are unvaccinated, 4.9 million require urgent aid, and three-quarters of schoolchildren are not meeting basic learning standards.
She urged the media to transition from mere reporting to proactive advocacy, holding stakeholders accountable. This includes governments, religious and traditional leaders, and families. “You can empower these stakeholders to protect children’s rights,” she emphasized.
Highlighting instances where media advocacy has successfully influenced government policy to protect children from harsh judicial punishments, she called upon media organizations to both acknowledge progress and advocate for systemic reforms in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. “Childhood is short—just 18 years. The changes we make today are the only ones that matter for these children. The media has the power to create a sense of urgency and push for the immediate actions that children cannot wait for,” she stated.
To accelerate progress, Munduate urged the media to ignite a healthy competition among states to achieve milestones like ending open defecation and improving access to food and education. By amplifying solutions and fostering collaboration, the media can transform the narrative for Nigeria’s children.
Also, the president, NGE, Mr. Eze Anaba, appealed to media practitioners to take a more proactive stance in advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian children. He underscored the imperative to address pressing concerns such as malnutrition, illiteracy, and vulnerability to preventable illnesses.
He said, “Children in Nigeria are still dying from diseases that have been eradicated elsewhere or for which vaccinations are available. This situation demands a collective effort from media practitioners, health workers, policymakers, and the government to declare a state of emergency for children and place them at the forefront of national priorities”.
Anaba underscored the harsh realities faced by Nigerian children, a staggering half of the 220 million population. Millions are denied their rights, suffering from neglect, out-of-school, abuse, child labor, early marriage, violence, and forced recruitment as child soldiers. “These statistics are not just numbers; they are stories of children whose rights are being denied and whose dreams are deferred,” Anaba lamented.
The symposium brought together government officials, media, advocates, and stakeholders to create a thriving society for every child. Anaba urged journalists and editors to use their storytelling power to inspire change. “The media is not just a passive observer of society but an active participant in shaping norms and influencing policies. We must uncover and amplify the voices of the voiceless and pressure policymakers to act,” he stated.
He called for journalism that not only exposes problems but also offers solutions. By showcasing successful child-friendly policies and community-driven initiatives, Anaba stressed the need to celebrate achievements while tackling challenges.“Partnerships with organizations like UNICEF can provide data and tools to strengthen advocacy. We must commit to actionable steps, whether through investigative reports, collaborations with NGOs, or dedicated platforms for child rights,” he stated.