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Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has urged global stakeholders to take decisive and collective action to safeguard the rights and well-being of African children, women, and vulnerable groups.
Speaking in London at the launch of the Community Children’s Fund, themed “Advancing Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040: Protecting Street-Connected Children in West Africa” at SOAS University, the Minister emphasized the urgency of protecting vulnerable populations through strong commitments and disciplined implementation.
In a keynote address that blended personal experience with professional insight, Sulaiman-Ibrahim painted a vivid picture of the dire challenges facing African children, particularly in Nigeria. She revealed that children make up 42% of Nigeria’s population, yet millions face vulnerabilities such as displacement, exploitation, and lack of education.
“Among the three million people displaced in the North-East BAY states, 59% are children exposed to exploitation, violence, and lack of education,” she noted, adding that over 10.5 million Nigerian children of primary school age are out of school, with girls comprising 60% of this alarming figure.
The Minister also highlighted the prevalence of child marriage in Nigeria, where more than four out of ten girls marry before the age of 18, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s address was deeply personal, as she recalled meeting a four-year-old girl who had survived abuse.
“That moment reinforced for me why our work is urgent and why collective action is not optional but imperative,” she said, calling for a future where every child can dream without fear.
As the Federal Minister of Women Affairs, she described her role as both a professional commitment and a moral obligation. “Protecting our children is more than a policy directive; it is a moral duty,” she declared.
The Minister outlined the systemic barriers faced by African children, including child labor, malnutrition, harmful traditional practices, and lack of access to education. She cited examples such as child hawkers in Southern Nigeria, the Almajiri in the North, and the Talibé children in Senegal.
“These children are robbed of their childhoods, forced to navigate a world that treats them as invisible,” she said, lamenting the strain on family cohesion caused by economic pressures and migration.
Despite the grim statistics, Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed hope in the resilience of African children. She called for bold, innovative action to address systemic issues and unlock the potential of the continent’s youth.
“The African child possesses boundless potential. Whether it is ending harmful traditional practices, ensuring access to quality education, or tackling the devastating impact of poverty and violence, we must act boldly,” she urged.
She emphasised that fulfilling the promises of Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040 requires collective effort from governments, civil society, international partners, and individuals. “While the best time to act was yesterday, today is another opportunity to take action and avoid a regrettable future,” she concluded.
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