From Poverty to Survival: Combating Child Poverty in Nigeria

Poverty means not having enough money or resources to meet basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, education, and healthcare. It is when people struggle to live a decent life because they lack access to the essentials needed for survival and comfort. Child poverty means when a child lives in a household or environment where their basic needs are not fully met. These needs include proper food, clean water, safe shelter, education, and healthcare.

When families don’t have enough money or resources, children often face hardships that can affect their growth, learning, and future opportunities. Children living in poverty may struggle to get enough nutritious food, which can make them weak and sick. They might not go to school or have proper books and supplies, limiting their ability to learn and build a better future. Poverty can also expose children to unsafe living conditions, such as overcrowded homes or poor sanitation, which can lead to illnesses and injuries.

“Poverty can make it hard for children to do well in school,” said educator Lilian Uju Ogbonna. “They may not have things like books, computers, or even enough food to eat. This can make it difficult for them to pay attention in class and learn new things. Poverty can also cause stress and anxiety, which can affect their mental health and how well they do in school.”

Okunola Omolayo Comfort, a teacher at Ajeromi Ifelodun Senior High School, added that poverty can greatly affect a child’s education. If a child can’t afford transportation to school, it’s harder for them to learn. Poor health can also be a problem, as sick children may not get the care they need.

Child poverty in Nigeria is largely driven by economic challenges. High unemployment and underemployment rates mean many parents or caregivers struggle to earn enough money to provide for their families. Additionally, inflation makes basic necessities like food, clothing, and healthcare expensive, leaving many families unable to meet their children’s needs.

Statistical Record of Child Poverty in Nigeria

Child poverty in Nigeria is a severe and multidimensional issue affecting millions of children. According to recent reports, over 51% of Nigerian children live in multidimensional poverty, lacking access to essential needs like education, nutrition, clean water, and health services. Nearly 40% of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition, while 8% suffer from wasting.

Ada Nwaeze, a registered dietitian nutritionist and CEO of Nutrifitbyada, explained: “Due to the poverty-stricken circumstances a child might find themselves in, they may become predisposed to malnutrition. This condition arises when the child lacks essential macronutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, as well as micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Consequently, the child’s growth and development may be stunted. Additionally, the lack of basic nutrients deprives the child of the energy needed to engage in daily activities.”

Cultural practices and beliefs can also contribute to child poverty. In some communities, large families are seen as a sign of wealth or social status, but parents may struggle to support all their children. Child labor is another issue, where children are sent to work instead of going to school to help support the family. Additionally, traditional views on education, especially for girls, limit opportunities for children to break free from poverty. Addressing these cultural factors requires awareness and community involvement to change harmful practices.

Impact of Child Poverty in Nigeria

Child poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life, leading to long-term physical, emotional, and social challenges. For example, many children face severe malnutrition, which hinders their growth and health.

Ozinna Tochukwu Ntukogu Lecturer in the department of History and War Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Nigeria broadly explain on how cultural practices and beliefs contribute to child poverty. He said:

“One of the major cultural practices that contribute to child poverty is our traditional Land Tenure and Ownership System. In many cultures, lands are tied to ancestral heritage, thus, there are lots of personal and emotional attachment to these lands. So, ownership of these lands are by inheritance and its sharing and occupation are by traditional standards.

What this system does is that it determines where families build their houses to live or settle. In many cases, these lands are located in very interior areas where there are no access to basic amenities we have mentioned above. In fact, there are no standard toilets or defecation system there too, talk more of schools or hospitals.

But owners of these lands build and live on these lands, fulfilling their cultural obligation of claiming and maintaining their inheritance. But by extension, their children born in such areas are subjected to child poverty by this traditional land tenure and ownership system.

The second point I had in mind is Economic Engagements which translate into (Traditional) Occupations rooted in people’s culture. Many of these economic endeavours or professions like fishing and hunting require that families move around, away from areas of basic amenities for themselves and their children.’

Ntukogu further explained that sometimes the families don’t move with the hunters but the hunters in many occasions move with children who are their apprentices and these children are separated from these amenities. In today’s coastal communities like the Bassa in Kogi, there is still the practice of migrational fishing, a system where they move with the tide of the river and concentration of fishes. Their houses are temporary as they follow the movement, rise and fall of water level, and sometimes, they live on the water itself with no access to these amenities.

Strategies to Tackle Poverty

Taiwo Adeagbo, a teaching assistant at Temple University, Pennsylvania, highlighted the influence of cultural practices on child poverty. For instance, practices like child marriage can significantly contribute to poverty and underdevelopment. When children are deprived of their childhood and the opportunity to build meaningful lives and contribute to society, such practices perpetuate the root causes of child poverty.

One key strategy to tackle child poverty is ensuring access to quality education for all children. Free schooling, along with programs like school meals, can encourage parents to send their children to school instead of keeping them at home to work.

Affordable and accessible healthcare is crucial in reducing child poverty. Providing free or low-cost immunizations, nutrition programs, and regular health check-ups can prevent diseases and improve the well-being of children.

Job creation is essential for tackling child poverty. When parents or guardians have stable, well-paying jobs, they can afford basic necessities like food, clothing, and education for their children.

Social protection programmes such as cash transfers, food aid, and housing support can provide immediate relief to families in poverty.

Role of Government and Policy Interventions

Governments play a critical role in addressing child poverty through effective policies and programs. Policies aimed at reducing unemployment, improving education, and expanding access to healthcare can create long-term solutions.

Collaborating with NGOs and international organizations can further amplify these efforts, leveraging global expertise and funding to reach more children.

Community and Individual Actions

Communities can also play a crucial role in combating child poverty by creating local support systems. Community-led initiatives like food banks, after-school tutoring, or health outreach programs can provide immediate relief to vulnerable children.

Individuals, too, can contribute by sponsoring children’s education or healthcare. Small acts, such as donating to scholarship funds or supporting NGOs that provide school supplies, can make a significant difference.