To Be Parents to One, You Must Be Parents to All: My Reflection on Children's Day

Today is Children's Day in Nigeria, and as I reflect on the plight of the Nigerian child, I am deeply troubled. The reality is that the Nigerian child is increasingly endangered. The average Nigerian child is essentially a citizen only within their family, relying entirely on their parents for education, health, shelter, nutrition, sanitation, and security. When parents cannot provide these essentials, their children are left vulnerable and exposed.

This situation raises a critical question: how did we get here? Policymakers who are responsible for improving the lives of our children often have children of their own. However, the care and opportunities they provide for their children starkly contrast with what is available to the average Nigerian child. These policymakers send their children to the best schools, both within and outside Nigeria, ensure they receive top-tier healthcare, and provide them with the best security. They clearly understand what it means to care for a child, yet their policies do not reflect this understanding when it comes to the general population.

This discrepancy indicates a deliberate neglect fueled by a narrow mindset. True care involves a commitment to all children, recognizing that every child is ours to care for. Caring for children means anticipating their needs, foreseeing potential threats, and making preparations to meet those needs and mitigate those threats according to global standards. If we only care for a select few, we fall short of being true caregivers.

My journey has reinforced my belief in collective parenting. Although it took 15 years for me to become a biological parent, I have always considered myself a parent to all children. My wife and I have made our home a haven for children, particularly those of close family members. Beyond our public advocacy, we have consistently provided support, education, and scholarships—not as a plea for divine favor, but because it is who we are. Many children who have crossed our path are now married, with their own families, and thriving professionally worldwide. We understood that to call ourselves parents of one, we first needed to be parents to many.

Policymakers must adopt this mindset. They must see every Nigerian child as their responsibility. The president and first lady of Nigeria, governors and their spouses, local government officials, all must recognize every child as theirs. If they do, our educational and healthcare systems will improve, and our children will thrive.

I sound this note of warning: the children we neglect today will become a threat to society tomorrow. Posterity will judge us harshly if we fail to provide the best for the Nigerian child. This is my charge on this Children's Day.

Thank you.