Lawmakers demand urgent, credible population census

Lawmakers and population experts on Tuesday called for the urgent conduct of a credible population and housing census, warning that the continued delay undermines national development and the future of millions of young Nigerians.

Speaking at the 2025 World Population Day event held in Abuja, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population and Identity, Senator Victor Umeh, emphasised the significance of this year’s theme: ‘Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.’

Umeh described it as a timely call to invest in youth by ensuring access to rights and informed decision-making.

The senator expressed concern over the lack of a credible national census since 2006, which has led to uncertainty about Nigeria’s actual population.

“Every day we hear that Nigeria has about 230 million people. But how can we address their needs if we don’t know who they are or how many they are?

“Just yesterday, someone claimed our population exceeds 300 million. I couldn’t dispute it—our last census was 19 years ago,” he noted.

The senator stressed that with more than half of Nigeria’s population under 30, the country’s future depends on its youth.

“To truly empower them, we need accurate, disaggregated data. This is why I strongly advocate for the timely conduct of a credible population and housing census in Nigeria, which is essential for inclusive development, equitable resource distribution, and youth-responsive policy,” he said.

Umeh cautioned that policies built on assumptions lead to misallocation of resources and a growing crisis in sectors like education, employment, and housing.

He pointed to the youth unemployment crisis as a direct result of poor planning.

The senator pledged that the Senate would provide the necessary legislative support and funding to the National Population Commission to ensure the next census is credible and timely.

“The senate is committed to providing the necessary legislative framework to ensure that Nigeria’s population data is accurate, timely, and inclusive, and that youth empowerment remains central to our national development agenda,” the senator added.

Umeh also stressed the need for data on housing, linking population figures to housing deficits and planning.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Population and Identity, Okunjimi Odimayo, stressed that accurate data is not a luxury but a necessity.

“We must be guided by one fundamental requirement: accurate data.

“This is actually what differentiates us from any advanced country in the world. Accurate data — this is what differentiates the private sector from the public sector,” Odimayo noted.

Odimayo urged President Bola Tinubu to make an immediate decision on the census, describing the data gap as “the problem of Nigeria now.”

“Without reliable data, we risk building policy on assumptions. Everything you see, any policy you see, is based on assumptions — and assumptions are not realistic. I can say it,” he added.

Also at the event, NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra said the country’s youthful demographic offers a unique opportunity that must be strategically harnessed.

“More than 60 percent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30. That’s over 130 million young people whose dreams, potentials, and aspirations must be placed at the very centre of our national development priorities,” he said.

Kwarra underscored the need for investment in education, health, jobs, and governance, supported by up-to-date data.

“It also means investing in data management including ensuring compliance with the conduct of a population and housing census every ten years,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging all sectors of society to involve young people not just as beneficiaries but as active partners in national growth.

“Young Nigerians are full of ideas, creativity, and resilience. They want to contribute, they want to lead, and yes — they want to form families on their own terms, in an environment of dignity, fairness, and opportunity,” Kwarra said.

The United Nations Population Fund Deputy Representative Koessan Kuawu echoed the call for inclusion and data-driven policy, urging leaders to listen to the voices of youth.

“Starting on this World Population Day, let’s listen to what young people want and need, and create conditions that enable them to exercise their rights, make their own choices and enjoy a hopeful future,” he said.

Nigeria has been overdue for a national population and housing census since 2016.

The last enumeration exercise, held in 2006, recorded a population of over 140 million. That data remains the foundation for national planning despite significant demographic shifts.

Efforts to conduct a new census have repeatedly stalled due to security concerns, funding challenges, and political considerations.

A recent attempt under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari scheduled a digital census for May 2023, but the exercise was postponed just days before commencement to allow the incoming Tinubu administration to assume responsibility.

The lack of current demographic data has hampered policy planning, the delivery of social services, and the equitable distribution of resources. Global standards recommend a national census every 10 years.

Policy violations: TikTok deletes over 3.6 million Nigerian videos

TikTok has removed more than 3.6 million videos from its platform in Nigeria between January and March 2025 for breaching its Community Guidelines, representing a 50 per cent increase from the previous quarter.

This was disclosed in the platform’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which highlights TikTok’s commitment to keeping its online community safe, respectful, and trustworthy.

According to the report on Tuesday, TikTok achieved a proactive detection rate of 98.4 per cent, meaning most of the videos were removed before users reported them. About 92.1 per cent of the videos were taken down within 24 hours of being uploaded.

The platform said the removals represented a small fraction of the overall content posted by the Nigerian community during the period, stressing that the majority of content shared remained positive, educational, and entertaining.

As part of its regional enforcement actions, TikTok also removed 129 accounts in West Africa linked to covert operations in March 2025.

TikTok said it had intensified efforts to monitor LIVE broadcasts to ensure compliance with its rules. In the first quarter of 2025, the platform banned 42,196 LIVE rooms and interrupted 48,156 streams in Nigeria found to have violated its guidelines.

“LIVE content enforcement remains a priority as we continue to protect the integrity of real-time interactions on the platform,” the report stated.

Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in Q1 2025, up from 153 million in the previous quarter. Of these, 184 million were removed through automation, with a global proactive detection rate of 99 per cent.

Despite the large-scale removals, TikTok said that harmful content accounted for less than one per cent of total uploads, underscoring its ongoing efforts to prioritise safety and well-being.

In June, TikTok Africa held the ‘My Kind of TikTok Digital Well-being Summit,’ bringing together experts, NGOs, creators, media, and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa to discuss ways of improving digital well-being on and beyond the platform.

As part of new initiatives, TikTok announced the expansion of its in-app helpline to Nigeria, in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-focused non-profit organisation that supports youth safety. The helpline will provide expert assistance to young users dealing with issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

TikTok also named Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, popularly known as Doctor Wales, as its Digital Well-being Ambassador for Nigeria, joining a group of healthcare professionals in the WHO Fides Network.

Alongside these efforts, TikTok continues to encourage users to report harmful content and participate in its ongoing #SaferTogether campaign, aimed at fostering a respectful and secure online environment.

Fans swarm Troost-Ekong in Lagos meet frenzy

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of fans in Lagos on Friday evening, as he hosted a meet and greet ahead of the second edition of his foundation’s charity match, scheduled for Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The event, held at the Puma store in Palms Mall, Lekki, offered fans a rare opportunity to interact with the Nigeria international in an informal setting, just days before the highly anticipated #PlayForPurpose fixture.

Supporters of all ages gathered in large numbers, many arriving hours early to get a chance to take photographs, receive autographs and share personal moments with the player.

The meet and greet also served as a show of appreciation to Puma, one of the lead sponsors of the charity initiative

Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Sports Extra shortly after the event, Troost-Ekong said the occasion held deep personal and professional significance.

“This meet and greet was great,” he said.

“It was a way to pay homage to fans and also one of our biggest partners, Puma, who’ve been supporting us for two events now. It’s not been easy. They believed in us even before we had the proof of concept done.hey asked me to come down and I did that with all pleasure. I feel part of the Puma family now. I brought my children, brought my family, and I’m looking forward to seeing them there in the stadium with us this Sunday as well.”

Reflecting on the broader sponsorship landscape and the logistical effort behind the initiative, the former Watford and Udinese defender praised his team for their dedication and the sponsors for their early belief in the project.

“Sponsorship has been good. It’s been a lot of work. I have to say thank you also to the BFA staff and everyone who’s been working on this since January. It’s been six months for us to get here.

“I know people only found out about this event maybe two months ago, maybe six weeks ago, but we’ve been working on this for a long time. It’s not been easy. The most difficult thing is to get people to believe in what we’re doing even before all the names come out.

“This part is easy because now you see what we’re doing and everyone wants to be involved, I’m getting messages from all kinds of people saying, ‘I want to play’, messages from brands saying they want to be involved.

“But a few months ago, when you said you were bringing this to Lagos at this moment in time, you had to get people to believe in it. Now everyone sees what we can do, and we can continue to do that in the years to come,” he said.

Sunday’s charity match will feature an all-star cast of sports and entertainment personalities, including boxing world champion Anthony Joshua, Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo, former internationals Obafemi Martins and Vincent Enyeama, as well as popular musicians Flavour, Falz and ODUMODUBLVCK.

The first edition, held last year in Uyo, was widely praised for its community outreach and carnival-like atmosphere.

The Lagos edition is expected to draw an even larger audience, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s efforts to empower underprivileged children through football.

Nigeria chase gold at African Military Boxing Champs

Nigeria’s Armed Forces are chasing their first gold medal at the 6th African Military Boxing Championship in Rabat, Morocco, after securing four bronze medals with two fighters still in contention for the ultimate prize.

The Nigerian contingent, led by coach Aweda Kehinde, a former Olympian who represented the country at the Atlanta, Georgia, 1996 Games and currently serves as the Nigeria Army boxing coach, has delivered impressive performances at the championship that began on June 14th and will end on Sunday, the 22nd.

Team Nigeria’s medal haul currently stands at four bronze medals, with the potential for more precious metal as two boxers remain in the competition’s latter stages.

Rilwan Lawal of the Nigeria Army has reached the final and stands on the brink of delivering the country’s first gold medal at the tournament. The army boxer’s journey to the final represents the pinnacle of Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco.

Gbadamosi Quadri, also from the Nigerian Army, is currently competing in the semi-final stage, offering another route to a potential gold medal for the Nigerian team.

The bronze medal winners have already guaranteed Nigeria a respectable showing at the continental championship. Balogun Emmanuel Adeola of the Air Force settled for bronze after what would have been a hard-fought campaign in his weight category.Samson Kazeem of the Nigerian Army also claimed bronze, adding to the Army’s impressive medal tally at the championship. Ambrose Godwin, another Nigerian Army representative, secured bronze in his division.

Akeem Adebamiji of the Nigerian Navy claimed bronze, ensuring all three branches of Nigeria’s Armed Forces contributed to the medal haul and demonstrating the breadth of boxing talent across the military services.

The championship has seen mixed fortunes for some Nigerian fighters. Qoyum Qozeem of the Nigerian Army was eliminated in the quarter-final stage, whilst Balogun Al-Ameen Olamide of the Air Force also exited the competition at the same stage.

The tournament in Rabat represents a significant opportunity for Nigeria’s military boxers to showcase their talents on the continental stage. Coach Kehinde’s experience as a former Olympian has proven invaluable in preparing the team for the rigours of international competition.

The championship in Morocco continues to provide thrilling boxing action, with Nigeria’s representatives proving they can compete with the best military boxers across the African continent.

As the tournament reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Lawal’s final bout and Quadri’s semi-final encounter, with the potential to transform Nigeria’s good showing into an excellent one with the addition of gold medal success.

Labubu: How China’s monster dolls are winning global hearts

Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart’s Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher.

Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a “cool” China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America.

Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in “blind boxes”, meaning buyers don’t know the exact model they will receive.

The dolls are “a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate”, interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys.

“Now everything goes viral… because of social media. And yes, it’s cool. It’s different.”

While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China’s heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country’s best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein.

There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products.

“It has been hard for the world’s consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation,” the University of Maryland’s Fan Yang told AFP.

Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as “lafufus” and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll’s authenticity.

Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years.

“It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable,” Yang said.

– TikTok effect –

Through viral exports like Labubu, China is “undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners,” said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting.

Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China’s global image “similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo”.

Video app TikTok — designed by China’s ByteDance — paved the way for Labubu’s ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally.

Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that “TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers’ minds about China”.

TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population.

The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital “refugees”.

A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu.

Labubumania –

Cultural exports can “improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services”, CFR’s Kurlantzick told AFP.

Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in “blind boxes”, meaning buyers don’t know the exact model they will receive.

“Now everything goes viral… because of social media. And yes, it’s cool. It’s different.”

There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products.

“It has been hard for the world’s consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation,” the University of Maryland’s Fan Yang told AFP.

Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as “lafufus” and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll’s authenticity.

Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years.

“It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable,” Yang said.

– TikTok effect –

Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China’s global image “similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo”.

Video app TikTok — designed by China’s ByteDance — paved the way for Labubu’s ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally.

Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that “TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers’ minds about China”.

TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population.

A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu.

Labubumania –

Cultural exports can “improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services”, CFR’s Kurlantzick told AFP.

“I don’t know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China’s state or government,” he said, pointing to how South Korea’s undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might.

While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States’ chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland’s Yang said.

“The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China’s global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously,” she told AFP.

At the very least, Labubu’s charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation.

“It’s like a virus. Everyone just wants it,” Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart’s theme park in Beijing.

Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue.

“In our country, they love Labubu,” she said.

“So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they’d like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China.”

AFP

Eid-el-Kabir: Kalu shares rams, rice to Abia Muslims

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has donated rams, bags of rice and other food items to the Muslim community in Abia State ahead of the Sallah festivities billed for Friday.

Presenting the items to the Muslim faithful led by Sarki Shehu Bello in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of the State, Kalu urged them to use the occasion to spread love to the indigent people and put a smile on their faces.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu, quoted Kalu as saying that he would not relent in championing the cause and welfare of his people by spreading the dividends of democracy.

Wishing them a joyous celebration, the Deputy Speaker who also represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State appealed to the Muslim faithful and indeed, all Nigerians to continue to pray for and support the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

In his response, the leader of Abia Muslim Community, thanked the Deputy Speaker for his benevolence, and ensuring that the Muslim community residing in Abia state celebrate Sallah in harmony in happiness and joy.

He said, “On behalf of the Muslim community, we want to appreciate His Excellency, the Deputy Speaker for remembering us, for making sure that the Muslim community residing in Abia State celebrate this Sallah in harmony, happiness and joy. May God bless him more and more. He will have long life and things will go well for him.”

Juma Jux surprises Priscilla Ojo with Range Rover during wedding in Tanzania

Tanzanian music star, Juma Jux, surprised his bride, Priscilla Ojo, with a brand-new Range Rover during the reception of their grand, multi-country wedding finale, themed ‘African Royal Wedding’, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday.

During the final leg of the ceremony, Juma made a heartwarming announcement, asking guests to follow him outside for what he called a “small gift” for his wife.

“Please, I want everybody to follow me outside, I have a very small gift for my baby. Can you guys follow me outside?

“Baby, it is not big, it is small…” the East African artist said.

As the crowd exited the beautifully decorated hall, they gathered around in anticipation.

Priscilla screamed excitedly upon seeing the surprise, a luxurious Range Rover adorned with red ribbons and filled with red balloons.

She was ushered into the front seat, where Juma joined her, both of them visibly overwhelmed by the moment, surrounded by guests and well-wishers.

As one of Juma’s hit songs, “Shaylaa,” played in the background, Priscilla’s mother, Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo, was seen glowing with pride and joy.

She cheered on the couple, calling out affectionate names like, “Juma Odogwu”, “My Presido,” “Priscilla,” and “Odogwu.”

Priscilla hugged and kissed her husband in appreciation of the lavish gesture, eventually breaking into tears. “Thank you,” she said emotionally.

Watch video below

In another clip, Iyabo Ojo was spotted with reality TV star, Chioma Ikokwu, popularly known as Chioma GoodHair, proudly declaring, “we brag differently,” as they celebrated the memorable moment.

The wedding, dubbed JP2025, had numerous Nigerian celebrities in attendance, including Funke Akindele, Enioluwa, Jaiye Kuti, Chioma Ikokwu, Lola Alao, Michelle Gentry, among other notable personalities.

Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that Juma Jux had announced May 28 as the date for the final wedding celebration with Priscilla Ojo.

He made the announcement via a video on his Instagram story, revealing that the grand finale would be held in his home country.

Reps seek reintegration plan for IDPs nationwide

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on relevant agencies of the Federal Government to carry out a reintegration plan for Internally Displaced Persons across the country.

The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion on notice during Wednesday’s plenary, sponsored by the member representing Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Mr Felix Nwaeke.

Speaking on the substance of the motion, the Rivers lawmaker noted that as of April 2024, the internally displaced persons in Nigeria were estimated at 3.3m persons living in over 300 camps across Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

He said, “The visitations by humanitarian organisations and government agencies to these camps are immersed with calls for improved welfare, feeding, and security of the displaced persons in these over 300 camps.

“There has to be a plan on how to prepare these persons who had been forced out of their homes and subjected to living conditions lower than they are used to psychologically, emotionally, and physically to reintegrate them back to a normal standard of living.

“If the displaced persons, most of whom are women and children, are returned home after relative peace is restored in their communities without a structured reintegration plan that would be providing cash assistance, food and clothing, and psychological and emotional counseling and support; it would amount to insensitivity to their plight and, at most, abandonment.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the National Emergency Management Agency to conduct an assessment of the situation in the IDP camps across the country and draw up a reintegration plan for IDPs.

It also mandated its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management to ensure compliance.

Children’s Day: Aiyedatiwa urges collective action against bullying in Ondo

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called on all stakeholders to join hands and work against all forms of abuse of children, most especially bullying in the society.

Aiyedatiwa, who described bullying as a form of aggressive behaviour where someone intentionally harms, intimidates or humiliates another person repeatedly, said all hands must be on deck to protect the rights of the children.

The governor stated this at the 2025 edition of the National Children’s Day celebration, held in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Speaking on the theme of the celebration, ‘Stand up, speak up – building a bullying-free generation’, the governor explained that bullying could be physical, verbal or social and it leaves lasting harm.

He noted that children who were bullied may suffer emotionally, physically and academically which could lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances and even social isolation.

Aiyedatiwa said, “Our children deserve better. They need our protection from all forms of harassment, exploitation and abuse. To build a bullying-free generation, we must act collectively and decisively. We must build a society free from oppression, injustice and inhumane treatment. We must build a generation of young people who are bold, resilient and confident. A generation that knows their rights and is not afraid to stand up for what is right, not just for themselves but for their peers as well.

“This is how we build a truly inclusive and safe society. All hands must therefore be on deck – parents, teachers, school administrators, religious bodies, traditional institutions, associations and government at all levels must play their part. And so must our children, who must be encouraged to speak up and support one another. We must instil empathy and kindness in our children.

“When we put ourselves in others’ shoes, we can build stronger relationships and more caring communities. Education is key to preventing bullying. We must raise awareness about its harmful effects and promote positive behaviour in all learning environments. We must also build robust support systems for victims: counselling, mentoring and safe spaces must be readily available. Moreover, we must empower bystanders to become upstanders – those who do not remain silent but act when they see something wrong.

“As a government, we remain unwavering in our commitment to child protection policies, school safety initiatives and programmes that promote mental and emotional health in our schools and communities. By the special grace of God, the government of Ondo State shall continue to prioritise the welfare of our children through our various initiatives, including payment of WAEC fees for secondary school students and the renovation of public schools across the State. We have also recruited over two thousand teachers for public secondary and primary schools to improve the standard of education in the state.”

Corroborating Aiyedatiwa, the Special Adviser to the governor on Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, called on all stakeholders to take action against bullying among the children in schools and other areas.

“National Children’s Day is a significant National event that affords us the opportunity of celebrating our children by networking and also advocating for social welfare and rights in society. It is a day set aside to recognise, honour, celebrate and appreciate our children. It was established to promote international awareness, Unity, love among children worldwide, and to improve their welfare.

“This year’s theme, ‘Stand up, speak up; building a bullying-free generation’, is apt and timely as it addresses critical issues in school settings and calls on us all to take action against bullying among children and young adults, empowering our children to speak up through advocacy and confidence building.

Children’s Day: Peter Obi urges better care for Nigerian children

On the occasion of Children’s Day, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians, especially leaders, to prioritise the welfare and future of the country’s children, whom he described as “the heartbeat of our nation and the bearer of our collective hopes and dreams.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi emphasised the need for urgent attention to the challenges faced by Nigerian children.

“Days like this offer us the opportunity to appreciate the immense potential of our children, who represent the hope of a brighter tomorrow in our nation if only we care for them today,” he said.

According to Obi, Nigerian children deserve “a nation that prioritises their well-being, education, safety, and future.”

Highlighting the demographic significance of children in Nigeria, Obi cited a 2023 UNICEF report estimating that over 110 million people under the age of 18 live in the country, representing a large proportion of Nigeria’s population.

“Such high numbers of young people in Nigeria should challenge us, as leaders, to commit wholeheartedly to investing in the future of the children. Their future is the future of the nation,” he stated.

Despite their potential, Obi pointed out that many Nigerian children face harsh realities from birth.

“Nigeria today is among the nations with the highest infant mortality rates in the world,” he said.

He also referenced a 2024 UNICEF report revealing that around 11 million Nigerian children suffer from severe food poverty, with one in four children under five stunted due to malnutrition, especially in rural and remote areas.

The former vice presidential candidate also drew attention to the education crisis in the country, where over 18 million children are currently out of school – “among the highest in the world.”

Obi described this as “a deep national wound,” stressing that “each out-of-school child represents a dream deferred, a future endangered, and a country that is failing to uphold its most sacred responsibility.”

He lamented that while many children learn on the streets, schools remain underfunded, unsafe, or inaccessible.

Obi further criticised the state of healthcare for children, stating that “primary healthcare that should cater to the basic healthcare needs of our children is practically non-existent.”

Obi also raised concerns about insecurity affecting children.

“Violence, kidnapping, and abuse have forced thousands of children to flee their homes, live in fear, or grow up in regions where dreams are stifled by conflict,” he said.

Quoting a 2022 report from the National Bureau of Statistics, Obi said 46.5% of children aged 5-14 were engaged in child labour, describing this as “heartbreaking to see the future of our children jeopardised when they should be nurtured.”

Despite the many challenges, Obi acknowledged the resilience and talent of Nigerian children, urging Nigerians to support and encourage them.

“Their dreams are valid and we must invest in their future, our future!” he declared.

Obi reaffirmed his commitment and promised to work toward a Nigeria “where every Nigerian child can feel secure, grow in peace, enjoy good access to education and health and have the enabling environment to pursue their dreams and contribute productively to societal development.”

He emphasised the importance of building “a nation where no child is left behind and where the child of a nobody can become somebody through hard work and productivity.”

“We will continue to fight for a Nigeria where you can dream freely, learn safely, and rise boldly. That is the country we must build, and we owe you nothing less,” Obi added.