Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday urged Nigerian children to rise above their circumstances and pursue greater ambitions, saying they should never allow their environment to define their limits.
Speaking at the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration held at the State House in Abuja, the First Lady said the event was organised ahead of the traditional May 27 date because this year’s Children’s Day coincides with the Eid El Kabir celebration.
“Celebrating them ahead of the annual Children’s Day on 27th May, which coincides with Sallah celebration this year, shows the importance we place on the children of this nation,” she said.
Senator Tinubu described the occasion as not only a celebration of children but also a reminder of the nation’s collective responsibility to ensure that every child is valued, protected, educated and given the opportunity to succeed.
Speaking on the theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Child,” the First Lady stressed the need for equal access to quality education, healthcare, digital skills and a safe environment for all children, irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity or social status.
“It calls on us to create a society where no child is left behind regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, religion, or social status,” she said.
She added that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to improving the future of Nigerian children through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to her, the government is investing in education, healthcare, child nutrition, protection of children’s rights and the expansion of vocational and STEM opportunities, particularly for the girl child.
The First Lady also congratulated winners of the National Essay Competition and young innovators showcased at the event, describing their creativity and ideas as proof that Nigeria’s future remains bright.
Top winners in the competition received N1 million, while second and third-place winners got N500,000 and N250,000 respectively. Laptops and tablets were also distributed to children at the event to support learning and digital development.
Earlier, the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said ongoing reforms under the Tinubu administration demonstrated the government’s commitment to the welfare of children and women.
She noted that the ongoing review of the Child Rights Act 2003 was aimed at strengthening enforcement, addressing emerging protection challenges and aligning Nigeria’s child protection framework with global best practices.
“Our vision remains clear: to raise a generation of Nigerian children who are safe, confident, disciplined, morally grounded, innovative, and globally competitive,” she said.
In her goodwill message, UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Abdulatef, praised the creativity of Nigerian children and urged adults to listen to them beyond the annual celebration.
“Let us listen to the children. Not only during this Children’s Day, but also every day,” she said.
Acting Country Director of the World Bank, Mathew Verghis, described children as Nigeria’s greatest asset and called for sustained investment in early childhood development.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Muyi Aina, said the government remained committed to improving child nutrition and healthcare services across the country.
Highlights of the event included a science and technology exhibition featuring innovations by students of public schools, as well as an interactive early childhood development session with the First Lady.
