Nigeria Approves Universal Child Benefit for 2026 Children\u2019s Day<\/p>\n
_\u2018Future Now\u2019 theme unveiled as FG declares 2026 the Year of Families and Social Development_<\/p>\n
The Federal Government has approved a Universal Child Benefit as a safety net for the most vulnerable Nigerian children.<\/p>\n
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim made the announcement at a press briefing in Abuja, Friday, May 15, to herald activities for the 2026 National Children\u2019s Day Celebration.<\/p>\n
The Minister stated that the approval was made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of a broader push to place children and families at the centre of national development.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr President has also approved the Universal Child Benefits as a safety net for the most vulnerable Nigerian Children,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
The briefing, held at the Ministry\u2019s Headquarters coincided with the International Day of Families. Marking the occasion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared 2026 the \u201cYear of Families and Social Development,\u201d placing children and family welfare at the centre of the administration\u2019s agenda.<\/p>\n
The Minister who officially unveiled the theme for the 2026 celebration: *\u201cFuture Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.\u201d*
\nhighlighted that it reflects government\u2019s commitment to ensure no Nigerian child is left behind \u201cregardless of gender, disability, socio-economic background, religion, ethnicity, or geographical location.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that the theme also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), under which \u201cthe Nigerian child is no longer viewed merely as a passive recipient of welfare interventions, but as an active participant in national transformation, innovation, leadership, and sustainable development.\u201d<\/p>\n
On New and Expanded Initiatives, Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the “See Something, Say Something, We Do Something Campaign,
\nstressing that the Ministry has commenced multi-sectoral stakeholder engagements to strengthen reporting mechanisms, referral pathways, public awareness, and community responsibility.<\/p>\n
She also mentioned the
\n“Future Now Initiative”, which aims to equip Nigerian children with digital literacy, STEM education, innovation exposure, artificial intelligence awareness, and future-ready skills.<\/p>\n
The Minister added that as the National Coordinating Ministry on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management, the Ministry has validated Nigeria\u2019s first-ever National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Policy, now being processed for Federal Executive Council approval, noting that the policy seeks to \u201caddress period poverty, improve school attendance among adolescent girls, reduce stigma associated with menstruation, and improve awareness on hygiene, dignity, and reproductive health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sulaiman-Ibrahim disclosed that the Ministry is providing strategic leadership on the implementation and review of the Child Rights Act, 2003, highlighting that a high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee has been inaugurated to strengthen implementation, address digital-age threats, and improve child protection across all levels of government.<\/p>\n
According to her, the Ministry is also coordinating Nigeria\u2019s 5th\u20138th Combined Periodic Report to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and reviewing the National Child Policy.<\/p>\n
The Ministry will continue to strengthen the National Children\u2019s Parliament to ensure children are \u201cactive contributors to discussions and decisions affecting their lives and wellbeing.\u201d she emphasized<\/p>\n
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that In collaboration with UNICEF and other stakeholders, the Ministry is developing a National Child Benefit Grant Framework targeted at vulnerable children and households through child-sensitive social protection, nutrition support, family strengthening, and poverty reduction interventions.<\/p>\n
She further announced activities lined up for the 2026 Children\u2019s Day Celebration, namely
\nChildren and Adolescent Girls Interactive Session and \u201cOne-Day Honourable Minister\u201d Programme, National Caregivers\/Parents-Teachers Summit, Boy-Child Novelty Football Match, Annual Children\u2019s Day Party hosted by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, among others<\/p>\n
\u201cThese activities are carefully designed to promote inclusion, creativity, participation, protection, leadership, and holistic development among Nigerian children while reinforcing national consciousness around child rights and family wellbeing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Minister stressed that government alone cannot achieve the mandate. \u201cParents, schools, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners, private sector actors, communities, and the media must all function as co-guardians of the Nigerian child.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we commence activities for the 2026 National Children\u2019s Day Celebration, let us recommit ourselves to building a Nigeria where every child truly lives the promise of \u2018Future Now<\/p>\n
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), Nigeria will steadily continue charting a new path where children are not only protected, but empowered; not only included, but prioritised; and not only heard, but prepared to become responsible leaders of a stronger and more prosperous nation.\u201d She said<\/p>\n
In her welcome remarks, Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye thanked the Honourable Minister, government officials, diplomatic community, development partners, civil society organisations, and the media for attending the briefing to mark the 2026 National Children\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
She gave special recognition to the Nigerian children present, noting that the event was convened to officially kick-start the celebration in their honour.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Asanye acknowledged the support of partners including Girl Effect, UNICEF, Save the Children International, SOS Children\u2019s Villages, and Etiquette Africa, and called for sustained collaboration to advance the rights and welfare of Nigerian children. \u201cWe reaffirm our collective resolve and call for all hands to be on deck for the sake of our children,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, Deputy Speaker of the National Children\u2019s Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Sunoma, called for direct involvement of children in decisions affecting their wellbeing. \u201cAnything for us, without us, is not really for us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nigeria Approves Universal Child Benefit for 2026 Children\u2019s Day _\u2018Future Now\u2019 theme unveiled as FG declares 2026 the Year of Families and Social Development_ The Federal Government has approved a Universal Child Benefit as a safety net for the most vulnerable Nigerian children. The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":150766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3020,3023,3021,3022],"class_list":{"0":"post-150765","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-others","8":"tag-hon-imaan-sulaiman-ibrahim-l","9":"tag-national-childrens-day-celebration","10":"tag-the-year-of-families-and-social-development","11":"tag-universal-child-benefit"},"yoast_head":"\n