Keypoints
- CAMAC has called on African governments to translate child welfare commitments into concrete investments and action.
- The organisation made the appeal to mark the 2026 Day of the African Child.
- CAMAC called for the immediate release of children held captive by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.
- The group identified insecurity, poverty, child labour and limited access to education as major threats facing children.
- It urged governments and stakeholders to strengthen efforts to protect children and secure access to basic services.
Main Story
The Centre for Media Advocacy for Mother and Child (CAMAC) has called on governments across Africa to move beyond declarations and commitments by making concrete investments and taking actions that prioritise the welfare of children.
The appeal was made by the Executive Director of CAMAC, Mr Alex Uangbaoje, in a statement issued on Tuesday to commemorate the 2026 Day of the African Child.
Uangbaoje said that despite progress in advancing child rights across the continent, millions of children continue to face conditions that threaten their future and limit their opportunities.
He stressed that every child deserves to grow up in an environment that guarantees safety, health, education, dignity and opportunity.
According to him, insecurity remains one of the most significant threats facing children, with abduction, displacement and denial of education constituting serious violations of child rights.
CAMAC called for the immediate and unconditional release of all children being held by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups across Nigeria.
Uangbaoje noted that the Day of the African Child is observed annually on June 16 in honour of the children of Soweto, South Africa, who protested against injustice in 1976.
He said the 2026 theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa,” highlights the need to guarantee access to safe water, sanitation facilities and hygienic living conditions for children across the continent.
While acknowledging the challenges associated with water, sanitation and hygiene services, Uangbaoje said many African children also face threats arising from insecurity, displacement, loss of parental care and restricted access to education.
He expressed concern that thousands of Nigerian children remain affected by insecurity, with many abducted, displaced, orphaned or unable to attend school because of violence in different parts of the country.
The CAMAC executive director urged the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, development partners and community leaders to intensify efforts to secure schools and protect vulnerable communities.
He also called on African governments to tackle broader challenges affecting children, including poverty, malnutrition, child labour, child trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, early and forced marriages, recruitment into armed conflict and inadequate healthcare services.
According to him, climate change, humanitarian crises and poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene services continue to undermine the welfare and development of children across Africa.
He reaffirmed CAMAC’s commitment to advocating policies and interventions that protect the rights and welfare of children, particularly those most vulnerable.
The Issues
- Continued insecurity leading to child abduction, displacement and disruption of education.
- Persistent child poverty, malnutrition and inadequate access to quality education.
- Child labour, trafficking, early marriage and gender-based violence affecting children’s wellbeing.
- Limited access to healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene services across parts of Africa.
What’s Being Said
- Mr Alex Uangbaoje said: “The future of Africa depends on how well the continent protects, nurtures and invests in its children today.”
- He said: “The continued captivity of children held hostage in different parts of Nigeria is a stain on our collective conscience and a violation of every principle of child rights and protection.”
What’s Next
- CAMAC is expected to continue advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening child protection policies and programmes.
- The organisation is urging governments and stakeholders to intensify actions to secure schools and vulnerable communities.
- Calls for the release of children held captive by criminal groups are expected to remain a key advocacy priority.
Bottom Line
Marking the 2026 Day of the African Child, CAMAC has called on African governments to back commitments with concrete action, warning that insecurity, poverty and inadequate access to essential services continue to threaten the rights, welfare and future of millions of children.
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