Education advocates have called for greater investment in children’s education, protection and welfare, while urging stronger efforts to tackle insecurity and examination malpractice.
They made the call at an event to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the African Child (IDAC), with the theme: “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and hygiene for every child in Africa”, organised by the Makarios Initiative for Health and Humanitarian Development (MIHHD), on Thursday in Lagos.
The Convener of the event, Mrs Lauretta Patrick-Nwachi, said that children remained at the heart of Africa’s future and deserved greater support from government, corporate organisations and society.
Patrick-Nwachi, who is also the Co-founder of MIHHD, said that the annual celebration was inspired by a commitment to child development and advocacy.
She added that the observance commemorated the sacrifices of South African schoolchildren who protested against poor educational conditions during the apartheid era.
According to her, in spite of decades of advocacy, many African children continue to face challenges, including poverty, poor learning environments, inadequate educational opportunities and insecurity.
“We are here celebrating today, but there are children who went to school and were kidnapped. We must remember them and continue to pray and work for a society where every child can learn in safety and dignity,” she said.
The education advocate urged children to recognise their potential and embrace learning as a pathway to a better future.
She said that quality education remained the foundation for meaningful development and should remain a collective responsibility involving parents, teachers, governments, corporate organisations and civil society groups.
Patrick-Nwachi also called on companies whose products target children to reward academic excellence by engaging outstanding students as brand ambassadors.
She proposed that the best-performing boy and girl in the National Common Entrance Examination each year could be featured in advertising campaigns and rewarded for their achievements.
“We want to see the faces of children who are excelling academically on our billboards. Let us create role models that inspire learning, hard work and excellence,” Patrick-Nwachi said.
She said that such recognition would motivate children to take their studies more seriously and contribute positively to educational development.
Speaking further, Patrick-Nwachi said that her book, ”Kika’s Examination”, which was inspired by a true-life story involving examination malpractice, had become a tool for promoting integrity among schoolchildren.
According to her, the publication has inspired educational competitions designed to encourage honesty, diligence and academic excellence among pupils and students.
She expressed optimism that stronger partnerships among governments, schools, private organisations and non-governmental groups would improve educational outcomes across the country.
Also speaking, Dr Patrick Nwachi, Founder of MIHHD and co-convener of the event, emphasised the importance of health, hygiene and education in the development of children.
Nwachi said that while access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare remained essential, education was equally important in shaping the future of African children.
He warned against examination malpractice, describing it as a dangerous practice that undermined children’s confidence, character and intellectual growth.
According to him, one of the organisation’s flagship interventions was the free distribution of educational materials, including the Kika’s Examination – malpractice book, to children between the ages of eight and 14.
He explained that the initiative was designed to discourage cheating in examinations and encourage self-confidence, discipline and integrity among learners.
“It is better for a child to fail honestly and learn from the experience than to succeed through dishonest means. Parents and teachers must help children believe in themselves and stand on their own merits,” Nwachi said.
He also highlighted MIHHD’s interventions in maternal health and education, noting that the organisation had trained more than 100 traditional birth attendants in the South-East, as part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
Nwachi added that the organisation had revived academic competitions in secondary schools and was currently championing campaigns against examination malpractice.
The event featured educational talks, prayers for children affected by insecurity, discussions on leadership and child development, and the distribution of educational materials to pupils.
Participants, including students, teachers and community leaders, pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting quality education, integrity and the wellbeing of children across Nigeria.
