The Federal Government has officially unveiled activities marking the 2026 National Children’s Day Celebration in Nigeria with a strong national call for inclusion, protection, family strengthening, and investment in the future of children.
Speaking at a Joint Ministerial Press Briefing on the National Children’s Day 2026, held on Friday, 15th May, 2026 at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Headquarters, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, announced the theme for the 2026 Celebration as “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.”
Describing children as “the clearest expression of tomorrow”. The Minister said the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains committed to building a nation where every Nigerian child is protected, educated, empowered, and given equal opportunity to thrive regardless of gender, disability, socio-economic background, religion, ethnicity, or geographical location.
According to her, National Children’s Day is not merely ceremonial but “a national moment of reflection, accountability, and renewed commitment toward safeguarding the future of our nation through deliberate investment in children.”
She noted that with children constituting over 45 per cent of Nigeria’s population, child development and protection must remain central to national development, social stability, economic growth, and sustainable nation-building.
The Honourable Minister stated that the declaration of 2026 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the “Year of Families and Social Development” further reinforces the critical role of families as the foundation for child protection, moral upbringing, emotional security, and national continuity.
“The family remains the child’s first school, first place of identity, and first environment of emotional security.” adding that a stable family system therefore produces a confident and socially grounded child who is better equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Speaking further, the Minister emphasized that the 2026 Children’s Day theme aligns strongly with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), which prioritizes social protection, vulnerable households, inclusion, and human capital development across communities nationwide.
She disclosed that the Ministry has continued to strengthen implementation of the Child Rights Act through policy reforms, institutional strengthening, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated interventions aimed at improving the lives of Nigerian children nationwide.
Highlighting key achievements recorded by the Ministry from May 2025 to date, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim revealed that the Federal Government inaugurated a high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee to review the Child Rights Act, 2003, in order to address emerging realities, digital-age threats, and Strengthening child protection systems across all levels of government.
She further announced that the Ministry is coordinating the review and validation of Nigeria’s 5th–8th Combined Periodic Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, alongside the review of the National Child Policy and related frameworks.
The Minister also spotlighted the national child protection campaign titled “See Something, Say Something, We Do Something,” launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration.
“The campaign serves as a national call to action against violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and all forms of harm against children. Government alone she said cannot achieve this mandate so every Nigerian must function as a co-guardian of the Nigerian child.
She announced that President Tinubu has approved the Universal Child Benefits initiative as a social safety net targeted at the most vulnerable Nigerian children.
The Honourable Minister further disclosed that the Ministry has intensified implementation of the “Future Now Initiative,” designed to equip Nigerian children with digital literacy, STEM education, innovation exposure, artificial intelligence awareness, and future-ready skills for participation in a rapidly evolving global economy.
She also announced the validation of Nigeria’s first-ever National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Policy aimed at addressing period poverty, improving school attendance among adolescent girls, reducing stigma, and promoting hygiene and reproductive health awareness.
Presenting activities lined up for the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration, the Minister listed the following programmes:
Children and Adolescent Girls Interactive Session and “One-Day Honourable Minister” Programme;
National Caregivers/Parents-Teachers Summit;
Boy-Child Novelty Football Match;
Annual Children’s Day Party hosted by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
National Essay Competition across the 36 States and the FCT;
FCT Science Exhibition/Competition;
National Rally and March Past;
Annual Children’s Carnival; and
Commemoration of the 2026 World Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye commended partners including UNICEF, Girl Effect, Save the Children International, SOS Children’s Villages, and Etiquette Africa for supporting the Ministry’s efforts toward promoting the rights and welfare of Nigerian children.
“We reaffirm our collective resolve and therefore call for all hands to be on deck for the sake of our children,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, the Director of Family Health, Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ozi, described this year’s theme as a reflection of the urgent need to ensure that every Nigerian child has equal access to quality healthcare, education, protection, and opportunities to thrive.
“The future is not tomorrow, it is now. Together, we must create a nurturing environment where children can dream boldly, live healthily and grow into responsible citizens who will shape the destiny of our nation,” he stated.
UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection, Mona Aika, commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for placing children, families, and adolescent girls at the centre of national conversations.
She stressed that Children’s Day should not be treated as ceremonial but as “a moment of accountability” for government and stakeholders to assess progress in protecting children, expanding birth registration, promoting education, and safeguarding children online and offline.
“We must move from speaking about girls to listening to girls, and from listening to action,” she emphasized.
Also speaking, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, highlighted major milestones achieved under the Tinubu administration in immunization and child healthcare delivery.
According to him, over 16.7 million adolescent girls have been vaccinated against cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine rollout, while over 102 million children have received measles-rubella vaccines nationwide.
He further disclosed that Nigeria remains free of wild poliovirus, with over 174 million children vaccinated against polio in 2025 alone.
“Every Nigerian child deserves not only to survive, but to thrive in good health, dignity, safety, and hope,” Dr. Aina said.
In her goodwill message, the Country Director of Girl Effect Nigeria, Mrs. Boladale Akin-Kolapo, described the Children’s Day theme as a powerful reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
She reaffirmed Girl Effect Nigeria’s commitment to expanding access to health information, education, child protection systems, and platforms that enable young people to shape decisions affecting their lives.
Similarly, the Director of Programme Operations, Save the Children Nigeria, Mr. Joshua Anar, emphasized the need for deliberate investments in child protection, participation, education, and inclusive services.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for supporting initiatives that amplify children’s voices, including the National Children’s Parliament and Child Interactive Sessions.
“We must move beyond commitments and ensure concrete actions that improve children’s lives,” he stated.
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau Mnipr
Head of Press and Public Relations
FMWASD
