The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over the alarming state of child health and rights in Nigeria’s North-East, revealing that twelve local government areas in Borno and Yobe States remain at zero-dose vaccination levels, meaning children there have never received any routine immunization.
Speaking at a Media Dialogue on Journalism Ethics and Child Rights Reporting in Damaturu, Yobe State, Joseph Senesie, Officer-in-Charge of the UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, described the situation as critical, noting that nearly two million children in the region are currently out of school.
Senesie disclosed that UNICEF has taken steps to address the immunization gap, reaching 32,215 zero-dose children with vaccines for the first time. In addition, 1.2 million children have been vaccinated with the pentavalent vaccine, and 1.6 million people were reached with cholera vaccines across the region.
“As the fourth estate of the realm, we call on journalists to independently assess both our successes and the gaps,” Senesie said. “Your reporting is vital to shaping the national conversation and advancing the wellbeing of children in Nigeria’s northeast.”
Senesie also raised concerns about birth registration, stating that only 3 out of every 10 children in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States are registered at birth. He emphasized that this poses a serious challenge to child protection, identity, and access to basic services.
However, he noted some progress, over 500,000 children under five have been supported with birth registration through UNICEF and its donor partners.
“UNICEF, working hand-in-hand with government institutions, is committed to ensuring that children survive and thrive, from nutrition to education, from health to sanitation,” he said.
Highlighting the media’s role, Senesie expressed optimism that training journalists on ethical and effective child rights reporting would amplify the voices of vulnerable children and draw attention to their needs.
“We will continue to engage the media and all stakeholders to protect and promote the rights and wellbeing of every child in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northeast,” he concluded.
