The UN Children’s Fund ,UNICEF, has identified Nigeria as the second most vulnerable country globally in terms of children’s exposure to climate change.
With over 110 million children facing the harsh realities of rising temperatures, flooding, drought, and severe storms, the impact is significant. Child displacement due to environmental disasters, such as floods, has affected 650,000 children in Nigeria from 2016 to 2021.
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, emphasized the urgent need to address the direct health impact of climate change on children, including increased physical dangers, waterborne diseases, and malnutrition.
The 2023 World Children’s Day celebration in Nigeria provided a platform for children from various regions to voice their concerns and experiences regarding the escalating climate crisis.
Munduate highlighted the crucial role of children’s input in shaping collective efforts toward a sustainable and resilient future. The celebration featured discussions on the alarming rate of child displacement due to environmental disasters, underscoring the vulnerability of over 110 million Nigerian children.
During the events held across the country, children led discussions in regions such as Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Enugu, Sokoto, and Maiduguri. The aim was to raise awareness about the significant impact of climate change on children’s lives and future. As part of the World Children’s Day celebration, a quiz competition was held in Gombe State, involving schools from different regions.
The competition aimed to engage children in discussions about climate change and promote their understanding of their rights.
Clement Adams, the Officer in Charge of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, stressed the importance of celebrating children and creating a better environment for them to thrive.
The quiz competition results saw Government Girls Secondary School, Doma, securing the first position, Government Day Secondary School, Gandu, securing the second position, and Government Day Science Secondary School, Gombe, coming third. The events underscored the need for urgent action to address the impact of climate change on Nigeria’s vulnerable children.
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