Amanze Chinonye
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has issued a scathing condemnation of Nigeria’s political leadership, warning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, lawmakers and the wider political class against issuing “Happy Children’s Day” messages amid worsening insecurity, mass school abductions and deepening child poverty across the country, Prime Business Africa reports.
In a lengthy statement released on Wednesday to mark the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Ezekwesili described the occasion as a “National Day of Shame,” accusing Nigerian leaders of failing to protect children and guarantee their rights to education, safety, healthcare and dignity.
The former minister specifically referenced a series of school kidnappings and attacks across the country, including the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna and Sokoto states, as well as the lingering trauma surrounding the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction.
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According to her, political leaders had “no moral standing” to celebrate Nigerian children while thousands remain out of school, many communities continue to face violent attacks, and millions of children suffer hunger, poor healthcare and educational deprivation.
“You are wishing ‘Happy Children’s Day’ to children whose parents cannot afford food, school fees, medicines, transport or safety,” she said, accusing public officeholders of prioritising luxury lifestyles and political interests over child welfare.
Ezekwesili also cited the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, warning that insecurity, poverty and governance failures had created a severe learning crisis. She lamented what she described as the government’s inability to halt repeated attacks on schools and communities across several states.
The former minister criticised successive governments for failing to provide accountability regarding abducted schoolchildren, demanding that authorities publish updated information on children still in captivity and provide audited data on issues including learning poverty, child mortality and malnutrition.
She called on the Federal Government and state authorities to stop issuing ceremonial Children’s Day goodwill messages unless they were prepared to publicly acknowledge governance failures and outline concrete, measurable steps to improve child safety and education within the current fiscal year.
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Ezekwesili further accused the political class of abandoning vulnerable children, including those affected by urban demolitions, poverty, conflict and child marriage, insisting that symbolic celebrations could not replace meaningful reforms.
Addressing Nigerian children directly, she said many citizens still recognised their suffering and continued to advocate for a country where children would be “safe, educated, fed, healed and free to dream.”
The statement has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the state of child welfare, insecurity and public accountability in the country.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
