United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised fresh concerns over the impact of insecurity and deteriorating school infrastructure on millions of Nigerian children, warning that the crises are depriving them of a normal childhood and hindering their cognitive development.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, while speaking at the International Day of Play celebration organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) in Lagos, said violence and poor learning conditions are creating a generation of children growing up without safety, adequate learning spaces or opportunities to play.
Lafoucriere contrasted the festive atmosphere at the Lagos event, where pupils participated in games, storytelling and creative activities, with the harsh realities faced by children in conflict-affected and underserved communities across the country.
She noted that while some children were celebrating their right to play, millions of others continue to face abductions, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities and a lack of educational and recreational materials.
“The school compound, which should be a safe haven for learning and growth, has become a place of fear,” she told education officials, teachers, parents and journalists at the event.
Highlighting the growing security challenges confronting schools, Lafoucriere said: “In recent months, children have been taken into captivity from their schools in Borno, Niger, and Kebbi States, and just last month, in nearby Oyo State. Many have still not returned home. That is the grim reality of childhood in Nigeria today.”
According to UNICEF, the persistent threat of violence has created a psychological barrier to education, with many parents reluctant to send their children to school due to fears of kidnapping, armed attacks and banditry.
Lafoucriere said the insecurity has disrupted school attendance, increased dropout rates and undermined the sense of safety necessary for effective learning.
She also drew attention to structural deficiencies in many schools, noting that even children living in relatively peaceful areas are often denied opportunities for healthy development because of poor learning environments.
Among the challenges she identified were overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture, limited space for recreational activities, lack of playtime in school schedules and shortages of basic learning and play materials such as toys, balls, storybooks and educational aids.
Defending the importance of recreation in child development, Lafoucriere stressed that play is not a luxury but a fundamental part of learning and emotional well-being.
“When a child plays, their brain grows,” she said. “No worksheet can do what play does. Play is not a reward for finishing work. Play is the work. And no child should be denied that—not by overcrowded classrooms, and not by anyone with a gun.”
She urged governments, communities and parents to recognise the close relationship between children’s safety and their ability to learn and thrive.
According to her, children who are unsafe cannot learn effectively, while those denied opportunities to play are unlikely to achieve their full potential.
In his remarks, the Chairman of LASUBEB, Hakeem Shittu, emphasised the role of play in the overall development of children, including those with special needs.
“That is why we ensure our schools are stocked with different toys and storybooks to effectively support our pupils. We also encourage parents to allow and engage their children to play at home under proper guidance,” Shittu said.
He commended UNICEF for its partnership with the Lagos State Government, noting that the collaboration has contributed significantly to improved learning outcomes and pupil well-being.
Also speaking, Yetunde Oluwatosin, an Education Specialist with UNICEF Nigeria, said quality early childhood development remains the foundation for raising well-rounded learners.
She stressed that achieving this goal requires the collective efforts of parents, teachers, government agencies, healthcare providers and community leaders.
“It takes a village to raise a total child,” Oluwatosin said.
She highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between schools and families, stressing the importance of creating safe environments where children can play and learn both at home and in school.
Oluwatosin also called for adequate training for teachers to effectively deliver play-based learning, describing recreation as a critical component of early childhood education.
She added that efforts to improve child development must be multi-sectoral, involving the education, health and social welfare sectors as well as community stakeholders.
