Nigerian Children Affected by Conflict Are 'Fiscally Invisible'

A report launched on Wednesday in Abuja by Move Mind Alliance highlights that approximately 4.9 million Nigerian children require humanitarian assistance, with 1.8 million facing severe acute malnutrition by 2025. Despite these alarming figures, the report indicates that less than five percent of educational spending supports early childhood development, and 85 percent of humanitarian funds are concentrated in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, leaving other affected regions underserved.

The report warns that Nigeria's human capital index remains low at 0.36, indicating that children born today are expected to achieve only 36 percent of their potential due to poor health, nutrition, and educational outcomes. It proposes seven reforms, including the establishment of a dedicated federal policy framework for early childhood development and improved budget mechanisms.

Dr. Kati Murphy, interim director and co-chair of Move Mind Alliance, emphasized the need for a clear picture of Nigeria's investment in its youngest children, while Moje Alabi from Reach Network stressed the importance of addressing the fiscal invisibility of children in public policy.