Nigeria ranks poorly on global child well-being

The commission convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and The Lancet, has in its report disclosed that Nigeria ranks 174 out of 180 countries, below Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and South Sudan on child flourishing.

A statement made available in Abuja by UNICEF Communication Specialist Geoffrey Njoku, explained that the ranking which places Nigeria in the bottom 10 for performance is based on factors including measures of child survival and well-being such as health, education, nutrition, equity and income gaps.

The statement noted that the report finds that the health and future of every child and adolescent worldwide is under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change and exploitative marketing practices that push heavily processed fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco at children.

According to the report, no single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and their futures.

“The report Future for the World’s Children?, includes a new global index of 180 countries, comparing performance on child flourishing. Nigeria ranks 174 out of 180 countries, below Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and South Sudan,” the statement said.

According to UNICEF Nigeria representative Claes Johansson,  “This demonstrates how far we still need to go in Nigeria to ensure children can live healthy lives in an environment where they can thrive. We know that investing in the future of our children, giving them an education and making sure they are healthy and receive the right nutrition, works to provide a better future for everyone. We all have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect the health and future of every Nigerian child,” said

The statement maintained that while the poorest countries need to do more to support their children’s ability to live healthy lives, excessive carbon emissions – disproportionately from wealthier countries – threaten the future of all children.

“If global warming exceeds 4°C by the year 2100 in line with current projections, this would lead to devastating health consequences for children, due to rising ocean levels, heatwaves, proliferation of diseases like malaria and dengue, and malnutrition,” it stated.

 “The index shows that children in Norway, the Republic of Korea, and the Netherlands have the best chance at survival and well-being, while children in Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, Niger and Mali face the worst odds.

“More than 2 billion people live in countries where development is hampered by humanitarian crises, conflicts, and natural disasters, problems increasingly linked with climate change,” said Minister Awa Coll-Seck from Senegal, Co-Chair of the Commission. “While some of the poorest countries have among the lowest CO2 emissions, many are exposed to the harshest impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Promoting better conditions today for children to survive and thrive nationally does not have to come at the cost of eroding children’s futures globally,” it added.

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