The SOS Children’s Villages, a non-governmental organization dedicated to helping vulnerable families and children without parental care, has voiced concern over the more than 17.5 million orphans in Nigeria who receive little to no support. Thelma Ojelabi, the organization’s Fund Development Manager, expressed the worry in a statement released by the organization’s Head of Brand and Communication, Rhoda Ocheche, in honor of World Development Information Day. The group underlined the need for a coordinated strategy with solid and productive relationships in order to address Nigeria’s issues, especially those that impact children.
Ojelabi advocated immediate intervention for Nigeria’s most vulnerable children, who endure various sorts of child maltreatment as a result of their impoverished living circumstances. She pointed out that reducing potential risks that place children in precarious situations and promoting Sustainable Development for their future are shared responsibilities. The vast majority of vulnerable or orphaned children in Nigeria are subjected to extreme negligence, abuse, and deprivation. These children, who ought to be aided and shielded, frequently struggle to survive in one of the most difficult socio economic environments.
Orphans suffer from a lack of access to basic necessities.
Despite modest attempts by the Nigerian government and international groups, the situation is still critical as these vulnerable youngsters deal with problems that endanger their health, well-being, and opportunities for the future. In addition to not having parents, Nigerian orphans also suffer from a lack of access to basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, and education. Many orphans are compelled to work in dangerous jobs that expose them to exploitation in order to survive. While some are abandoned to fend for themselves, others experience emotional and physical abuse in informal foster care systems or extended family structures.
Social stigmatization exacerbates their misery as orphans are frequently shunned and referred to as “cursed” or “unfortunate,” further excluding them from the aid of the society. As a result, these kids are stuck in a cycle of Poverty and helplessness from which they can hardly break. Due to widespread poverty, unstable economies, and a dearth of efficient social services, many orphans lack access to the necessities for a happy and healthy upbringing. Thousands of people have been displaced by insurgencies and other political violence, leaving many children without parents or guardians.
Northern Nigeria is mostly disproportionately affected.
Moreover, orphans are additionally put at risk by the absence of child protection Legislation and the inadequate implementation of current regulations. Many children are trafficked for labor or end up in illicit adoption schemes as a result of lax government policies that permit child exploitation. Nigeria’s orphan crisis, which varies greatly by region, disproportionately affects the Northern part of the country the most. Numerous children in the region have become orphans as a result of the continuous instability, and the problem is made worse by the region’s rural poverty and limited access to healthcare.
Southern Nigeria, on the other hand, has a comparatively stronger Infrastructure and better social services, which provide orphaned children with more resources and possibilities, even though it is nevertheless impacted. The situation of Nigerian orphans has drawn attention from the international community, and numerous groups are working to meet their needs. Vulnerable children in Nigeria have received financial support, housing, medical attention, and educational materials from UNICEF, Save the Children, and other international organizations. These groups also work with nearby NGOs in order to create shelters and offer psychological counseling to traumatized youngsters.
Related Article: Many displaced in the northeastern flooding
Given the size and complexity of Nigeria’s orphan population, international initiatives, although praiseworthy, are insufficient and cannot replace robust domestic policies and resources to address the entire scale of the crisis. Millions of Nigerian orphans could be held captive in cycles of poverty and hopelessness, unable to break free from their vulnerabilities, unless a determined effort is made to address the underlying reasons of their misery. Making sure these vulnerable children are taken care of and protected will enable them to make valuable contributions to society, which will advance Nigeria’s stability and future growth.