The State of Nigeria’s Children 2024
Summary of the Updated Situational Analysis of Children and Adolescents in Nigeria
Highlights
Nigeria’s nearly 105 million children and adolescents aged 0-17 years represent about half of the country’s population, making investment in children a strategic opportunity for building human capital development and long-term economic and social development in Nigeria.
To better understand and respond to the challenges facing children and adolescents, the Federal Government of Nigeria produced an updated Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in Nigeria (SitAn), with technical support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2024. The updated SitAn is intended to support government efforts under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to shape policies and shift investment patterns to benefit all Nigerian children.
The report presents both the progress made in key areas and the significant challenges that remain. Notable achievements include improved birth registration rates, a reduction in child mortality, and gains in childhood immunization coverage. However, the report also highlights persistent issues such as high poverty rates, inadequate access to quality education, poor nutrition, newborn mortality, and widespread violence affecting children.
The sections included are: context for the achievement of child rights; child survival and development; education and learning; child protection; social protection; adolescents; climate change; and conclusions and recommendations.
This summary highlights some of the key facts, figures and findings from the full updated SitAn report, and shares conclusions and recommendations to respond to the pressing need to improve the situation of children and adolescents in Nigeria.
