UNICEF partners Lagos to Host Media Dialogue on Strategic Budgeting for Children’s Rights in Africa
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria
* … encourages journalists to amplify areas of under investments.
To observe the 2025 Day of the African Child (DAC), the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), convened a high-level media dialogue aimed at promoting public spending that prioritizes children’s rights.
Cross section of journalists
As this event took place on Monday, 16th June, 2025 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Centre in Ikeja, the media engagement centered on the theme “Planning and Spending for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” reflecting the African Union’s continental agenda to assess national efforts in protecting child rights through inclusive policies and equitable budget allocations.
While welcoming participants in her address, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, emphasized the enduring relevance of June 16—originally sparked by the 1976 Soweto Uprising—urging participants to honor the legacy of those children by pushing for real change in the lives of today’s generation.
“Nearly 50 years on, Nigerian children are still asking for the same better chance—access to basic services like clean water, education, healthcare, and safety. These are not privileges but rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” Lafoucriere stated.
She pointed out that while there have been modest budget increases over the years, actual spending on children’s services remains grossly insufficient, poorly tracked, and inefficiently used—a gap that the media must help to close.
“You, the journalists in this room, are not bystanders. You shape public thinking. You hold leaders accountable. Together, we can follow the money, tell the children’s stories, and drive real action,” she added.
The media dialogue called on journalists to amplify child-focused issues, investigate budget implementation, and spotlight areas of underinvestment—particularly in sectors such as education, health, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and child protection.
Mr. Muhammad Okorie of UNICEF Lagos underscored the need for a holistic, rights-based framework in child development, emphasizing that the journey of investment must begin from prenatal stage and continue through to adulthood. He stressed that every child is a rights-holder—entitled to health care, quality education, protection, and social inclusion—while governments, parents, and communities are duty-bearers tasked with fulfilling those rights. He reiterated that these responsibilities are grounded in both national law and international commitments, urging subnational governments to implement policies that translate these rights into real services for children.
Backing his submission with empirical data, Mr. Okorie highlighted that the highest economic returns on human capital come from investing in children during their earliest years—from prenatal care through early childhood. He noted that this window presents a critical opportunity for state governments and decision-makers to prioritize early interventions in health, education, and nutrition. “This is not just a moral duty; it makes strong financial sense,” he said, calling for more strategic, accountable, and child-centered budgeting by all levels of government.
Also speaking at the event were representatives from the Lagos State government, Mr Olujimi Olufemi Abiodun, Director of Budget, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, and media leaders, all reaffirming their commitment to collaborative advocacy and improved public accountability.
The session concluded with a collective call to action: for all stakeholders to ensure every Naira spent truly reaches the Nigerian child.
“Let’s join hands, raise our voices, and ensure no child is left behind,” Lafoucriere concluded.
