As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate Children’s Day, it is a sobering reminder that for millions of children across the country, there is little to celebrate. While some children wake up in the safety of homes filled with laughter and warmth, many others greet the dawn from street corners, abandoned buildings, makeshift structures, or under bridges.
According to estimates by UNICEF, over 10 million Nigerian children are either homeless or living in inadequate shelter, with thousands surviving daily on the streets of major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
The crisis of child homelessness and poor housing in Nigeria is a pressing issue that calls for urgent attention. The right to shelter is fundamental not just as a matter of comfort, but of survival, development, and dignity. Yet for a large number of Nigerian children, this basic right is denied.
There are four major hindrances to proper shelter for Nigerian children. First, poverty and unemployment: most families living in urban slums or on the streets are victims of extreme poverty.
With the soaring cost of living and limited access to decent jobs, many parents are unable to afford rent or land. As a result, children are forced into unsafe and overcrowded environments or pushed into the streets to fend for themselves.
Second, urban overpopulation and poor planning: Nigeria’s urban centers are rapidly growing but without adequate housing plans to match population growth. Many cities lack affordable housing schemes for low-income families, leaving children exposed to harsh living conditions, environmental hazards, and health risks.
Third, conflict and displacement: insurgency in the Northeast, communal clashes, and banditry have displaced thousands of families. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, meant to be temporary shelters, are overcrowded and lack proper facilities, with children bearing the worst brunt of these inhumane conditions.
Fourth, neglect and breakdown of family structure: many children on the streets are victims of abuse, neglect, or the loss of one or both parents. The lack of effective child protection systems has led to an increase in children running away from home or being abandoned, with nowhere else to turn.
On this Children’s Day, it is not enough to march or dance. The government at all levels must rise to the challenge of providing sustainable, child-friendly housing policies and programs.
Key actions can be taken to address this crisis. Developing and funding low-cost housing projects specifically targeted at vulnerable families and children, with access to clean water, education, and health facilities is vital. Reinforcing child protection laws and strengthening the capacity of social welfare institutions to identify, rescue, and rehabilitate homeless children is essential.
Investing in rural development to curb the migration of families to cities in search of better opportunities which often ends in worse conditions must be prioritized.
Finally, partnering with NGOs, faith-based organizations, and private developers to expand shelter solutions and services for children in crisis will make a significant difference.
Children are the soul of our nation, and their safety, dignity, and shelter must be non-negotiable. The Nigeria of tomorrow is being shaped today, and it begins with ensuring that every child has a roof over their head and a place they can truly call home.
Let this Children’s Day be more than just a celebration. Let it be a turning point for action—because the future of Nigerian children depends on the choices we make today.
— Ubong Usoro, Treasure Chuka
