The Nigerian Media must do more to protect Nigeria’s Children.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and UNICEF have urged the Nigerian media to leverage its extensive reach to advocate for the welfare of the nation’s 110 million children.
This appeal came at a symposium that held in Lagos recently with the theme “Reinforcing the Role of Media in Mainstreaming Child Rights”. Both organizations were certain that the press had what it takes to transform lives through impactful, solution-driven journalism.
UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, highlighted the alarming state of child welfare in the country, citing data that nearly half of Nigerian children live in poverty, with 67% suffering from multidimensional deprivation. She pointed out that 2.1 million children remain unvaccinated, 4.9 million require humanitarian aid, and 40% of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition. “The media must rise to the challenge of keeping these issues on the national agenda,” she urged.
Munduate explained that action-oriented reporting could hold stakeholders accountable while fostering public awareness. She also challenged journalists to go beyond event reporting and engage in sustained advocacy that pressures policymakers, community leaders, and families to take decisive steps in safeguarding children’s rights.
Highlighting examples of media influence, Munduate noted past successes where journalistic pressure led to government action to protect children from harsh judicial punishments. She also urged the media to celebrate progress in areas such as education and public health while continuing to address gaps in welfare and policy.
Meanwhile, the president of NGE, Eze Anaba echoed similar sentiments, stressing the urgency of prioritizing children’s welfare amid Nigeria’s mounting challenges. He pointed out that millions of children are out of school, subjected to child labor, early marriages, and abuse, while others face violence or recruitment as combatants in conflict zones.
“These statistics represent real lives and lost potential. We must act now,”
Anaba therefore called for a collective effort among journalists, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to declare a national emergency on children’s issues. He urged the media to adopt solution-based journalism that not only highlights problems but also advocates for actionable remedies, citing successful child-friendly policies as examples.
The symposium also encouraged journalists to foster competition among states in achieving milestones such as improved literacy rates, increased vaccination coverage, and reduced malnutrition. By amplifying success stories, the media can inspire collaboration and drive reforms, the stakeholders noted.
Journalists were told to use their platforms to give a voice to marginalized children while holding the government accountable.
“The media is not just a spectator; it is an active participant in shaping societal norms,”
The event also underscored the importance of data-driven reporting. Anaba stressed that partnerships with organizations like UNICEF can provide journalists with the necessary tools to tell compelling stories that drive change.
