The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on Lagos State lawmakers to take decisive, practical steps to protect and uplift children, warning that the global decline in child rights must not be allowed to take root in the state.
UNICEF’s Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, made the appeal while delivering a keynote address at the World Children’s Day Policy Dialogue with Legislators and Children’s Arts Exhibition, held at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja.
Lafoucriere expressed concern that funding for child-focused programmes was being cut at a time when global needs were increasing, noting that the consequences could be catastrophic.
According to her, funding cuts could result in 4.5 million more child deaths by 2030, six million additional children out of school by 2026, and leave more than 200 million children in urgent need of support.
“Sadly, the money to reach them is disappearing. But I hope that will not be the Lagos story,” she said.
She reminded lawmakers that November 20, marked globally as World Children’s Day, affirms that children possess rights—not privileges—including the rights to education, survival, protection, clean water, and participation.
On the 2025 theme, “My Day, My Rights,” Lafoucriere said it reflects the daily realities of children, not just a slogan.
She urged the Assembly to: Improve schools and expand digital learning to reach remote Communities, provide clean water, safe environments, and affordable sanitary materials for girls; Build more health centres and broaden the Health Insurance Scheme to include children with Disabilities prioritise; birth registration, which she described as essential for planning and accountability.
Responding, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, represented by the Majority Leader, Mr. Noheem Adams, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to improving children’s welfare.
Obasa said the government was already conducting a visibility study to ensure educational equipment and facilities are functioning optimally, pledging continued collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
While engaging with the children on Policy dialogue, Biodun Orekoya, who currently serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Social Development advised the children to stay away from drugs.
According to him, all over the world today, the major problem we have with the young ones now is drugs. And it is destroying lives. It is destroying communities.