UNICEF’s contribution to the end poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. Six of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MGD’s) can best be met as the rights of children to health, education, protection and equality are realized. The world will not make poverty history without the promotion of healthy lives, the provision of quality education, an adequate response to the HIV-AIDS pandemic and the protection of children against all forms of violence and abuse. UNICEF contributes to progress in each if these areas, working with Governments and other partners in 156 countries and territories.

The FGN/UNICEF Programme of cooperation in Nigeria
UNICEF has been in Nigeria since 1967 to address the needs of Nigerian children. Today, the country programme is present in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the areas of health and nutrition, basic education, water and sanitation and protection issues. All the programmes are represented in at least three LGAs in every state.


Health and Nutrition
The Survival and Early Child Care programme addresses the survival rights of children from conception to five years of age, with the aim of reducing under-five mortality rates by 20 per cent by 2007. High levels of child mortality and morbidity in Nigeria can be prevented with simple, affordable measures such as immunisation, micronutrient supple-mentation, exclusive breastfeeding and improved nutritional practices, the use of insecticide-treated malaria bed nets and the prevention of HIV transmission from parent to child.


Basic Education
UNICEF’s Education programme aims to contribute to at least a 20 per cent improvement in net primary school enrolment, retention and attainment rates. The child-friendly schools component aims to improve the school environment rate, the style and quality of teaching in schools. Emphasis is also placed on increasing access and achievement for girls in school, especially in the north of Nigeria. Closely linked with the education programme is the provision of water and proper sanitation facilities in schools, to improve child health and to encourage girls to continue their education.


Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
The goal of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme aims to create 8800 safe water sources by the
end of 2007, including 1200 sources in schools and learning areas. The programme combines the installation of new water points with the upgrading and renovation of existing facilities. UNICEF supports the installation of sanitary facilities in communities and schools and the programme will have benefited to at least 4000 communities by the end of 2007. Hygiene education in schools and communities is also an important component.


Protection and Participation
Child protection is a broad programme that provides the foundation for other areas of the country programme. Advocacy and technical support to the government are both significant areas of work in order to ensure Nigeria meets the obligations of the Convention on the Rights of the child. An important achievement was the adoption of the Child Rights Act in 2003 at the federal level. Today, UNICEF Nigeria encourages all 36 states to pass the Child Rights Act in order to address the situations of trafficked children, child labourers and orphaned and vulnerable children. UNICEF also collaborates with the National Youth Service Corps, training young people as peer educators to inform and spread messages on HIV/AIDS prevention.


Planning and Communication
In order to support the different programme areas, surveys and evaluations are carried out to monitor basic indicators. UNICEF also advises the government on preparing and responding to potential emergencies.
All programme areas have community communication, education and social mobilisation elements, including awareness raising campaigns. UNICEF also establishes partnerships with national media to educate the public on children’s rights.

Contact for media:

Christine Jaulmes, Chief Communication and external relations, cjaulmes@unicef.org
Tel: 08034020879 ;

Geoffrey Njoku, Communication officer, gnjoku@unicef.org, Tel: 08035250288
UNICEF website