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Report Reveals Why 53.9% Of Nigerian Children Live In Multi-Dimensional Poverty
The Situation Analysis (SitAn) of Children in Nigeria Report has revealed the factors contributing to the staggering 53.9% of children in the country living in multi-dimensional poverty.
Released during the 2024 World Children’s Day celebrations on November 20, this report is a policy document developed by the Federal Government with assistance from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to identify and analyze child-related issues.
According to the report, several key factors such as corruption, unemployment, lack of political will, violence, insurgency, and insufficient investment in social sectors significantly contribute to child poverty in Nigeria. Furthermore, issues like displacement and resettlement add to the strain on limited resources, worsening child poverty across the nation.
The report characterizes child poverty as “a condition where children are deprived of the material, emotional, and spiritual resources necessary to survive, develop, and thrive, thereby hindering their ability to enjoy their rights, reach their full potential, and participate as equal members of society.”
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It identifies seven indicators of child poverty: health, water, sanitation, nutrition, shelter, education, and information.
In detailing the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) analysis, the report notes that disparities in child poverty rates exist across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). For instance, Osun State reports the lowest poverty incidence at 17.5%, with a deprivation rate of 35.5% and an HDI ranking of 14th. In contrast, Sokoto State experiences a high poverty incidence of 89.9% and a deprivation rate of 50.4%, ranking 37th in HDI.
The report indicates a stark difference between urban and rural areas, with 29.7% of urban children classified as multi-dimensionally poor compared to 65.7% of rural children. Notably, children in Sokoto (80.4%), Kebbi (74.9%), and Zamfara (74%) face the most severe deprivation.
Conversely, fewer than 20% of children in Edo (19%) and Lagos (17.3%) live in multi-dimensional poverty. Children in Sokoto experience deprivation in 74.1% of the total indicators, whereas the figure is only 57.7% for those in Lagos.
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The report also observes that larger households, especially those with uneducated heads, exhibit higher rates of multi-dimensional deprivation. It highlights that children with illiterate mothers are more likely to suffer from poverty than those with educated mothers.
A particularly alarming situation is presented regarding Almajiri children, who are often homeless and lack basic necessities such as proper housing, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and parental care. They frequently face violence and abuse and are vulnerable to exploitation during conflicts.
To address these issues, the report calls for action from various stakeholders. Families and caregivers are deemed essential in alleviating child poverty and ensuring children’s protection. Public healthcare, education, and social services are critical for helping children escape poverty, and these services must be inclusive, affordable, and accessible.
Effective governance at all levels is necessary to implement sound policies, ensure equitable resource distribution, and invest in household livelihoods—ultimately reducing poverty and promoting children’s rights. The government is urged to provide sustainable minimum income support to families, mitigating financial barriers that hinder children’s development.
The SitAn report was first published in 2022, relying on data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2016-2017) and the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS 2018). An updated version was launched in 2024 to further bolster governmental efforts in shaping policies and directing investments to benefit Nigerian children.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.
Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.
The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.
The Chairman of Ward 1 of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped while traveling along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road.
The incident occurred on Saturday near Sasaro, a location notorious for frequent cases of abduction. Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was reportedly returning to Igarra after visiting Auchi to pick up his children following their holiday break.
According to reports, the assailants initially seized everyone in the vehicle — Olowojoba, his children, and a house help — but later freed the children and the domestic aide, taking only Olowojoba deep into the forest.
A family member speaking with Vanguard on Monday revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release.
The source explained, “Valentine Okasime Olowojoba was returning with his children when he was ambushed and kidnapped around Sasaro. The lack of network service throughout Saturday delayed any contact with the kidnappers until Sunday afternoon.”
“The attackers abandoned the vehicle at the scene and took him away. His brother later confirmed that a N50 million ransom has been demanded. We also heard reports of additional abductions in the same area on Sunday,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
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Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion suit instituted against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the hardships that trailed the 2023 Naira redesign policy.
The judge threw out the suit instituted by an Abuja based legal practitioner, Uthman Isa Tochukwu on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution of the case.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ekwo said that he was convinced that the plaintiff had deliberately abandoned his own case due to his persistent absence in court without legal representation and any explanation.
The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023 had dragged the former President, Attorney General of the Federation, former governor of the CBN, CBN and two commercial banks before the court claiming that they inflicted series of hardships on him during the redesign of the Naira.
In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff alleged that his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and dignity of his person were violently breached.
Specifically, the legal practitioner claimed his movement was curtailed while his money in the two commercial banks could not be assessed during the hardship occasioned by the redesign of the Naira in January and March 2023.
He therefore prayed the court to award N1 billion damages against the defendants to be paid to him for the breach of his fundamental rights.
However, at Monday’s proceedings, both the plaintiff and his counsel were not in court and did not offer any excuse for their absence.
Counsel to the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and CBN) Mr Chikelue Amasiani drew the attention of Justice Ekwo to the persistent absence of the plaintiff and his counsel in court during past proceedings.
He prayed the judge to strike out the suit and that the plaintiff can come back to revive the case when ready to show seriousness.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the lawyer and struck out the suit.
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