Child Poverty in Nigeria

Theme:
  • Child Poverty
theme
136
Pages: 38
Year of Publication: 2009
Country: Nigeria

In February 2008, the government of Nigeria announced plans to conduct a census of vulnerable and impoverished children living within the country. The nationwide survey is designed to shed light on the lives of children in poverty in a way that will allow the government to address the fundamental causes of child poverty and child labour in the country.

While specific information regarding the details of the survey is scarce, government officials and census takers say that the questions being asked of the children are very simple in nature, and that they are surveying children as young as three and four. The census takers are also asking parents and guardians, but the conclusions of the survey will be drawn primarily from the children’s responses.

Even though this has met with criticisms, the Nigerian government’s efforts in gaining a greater understanding of child poverty in the country are to be admired. While hoping that the survey will break new grounds, in 2003 alone, there were approximately 7 million orphans and vulnerable children living in poverty, and it is estimated that by 2010 that number could rise to 10 million.

Language: English
Published by: African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)
Author: Oyebisi Babatunde Oluseyi
Located in: Publications
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