…As Lagos Assembly Hosts Policy Dialogue & Arts Exhibition
By: Theresa Moses
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday hosted a high-level World Children’s Day Policy Dialogue and Arts Exhibition, organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development, bringing together lawmakers, government officials, and children from across the state to amplify issues affecting child rights.
Delivering the keynote address, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, emphasized that November 20 is not just a date on the calendar, but the day the world agreed that children have rights—not privileges. She warned that global setbacks in funding for child-rights programmes are putting millions of children at risk.
“Across the world, we are seeing a pullback on child rights. Funding cuts mean more children could die, more children could drop out of school, and millions who urgently need help may not receive support,” Lafoucriere said. “But this does not have to be the Lagos story. When Lagos commits, Lagos delivers.”
She applauded Lagos for having the best birth-registration record in Nigeria, noting that this demonstrated the state’s potential to lead child-focused reforms across the nation.
The event climaxed with a powerful dialogue session where children shared firsthand experiences of what it means to grow up in Lagos today.
They highlighted key challenges such as:
Schools without safe toilets or adequate learning materials
Classmates attending school hungry
Violence at home, in communities, or even within school environments
A lack of platforms to express their views in decisions affecting them
The young participants also touched on broader themes including education, child protection, nutrition, health systems, and the urgent need for stronger budgetary allocation to children’s programmes.
They called on the legislators to:
- Increase investments in education and child health
- Expand digital learning to underserved communities
- Strengthen school safety measures
- Improve community-level child protection systems
- Create sustainable opportunities for children to be heard in policymaking
Lafoucriere urged lawmakers not only to listen but to act.
“You sit in the House of Assembly where laws are made and budgets approved. Every child you protect becomes a healthier, smarter, and more productive adult. Every child you empower becomes a leader who builds a better Lagos,” she said.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state in achieving full realization of children’s rights.
As part of the celebration, children were taken into the Lagos State House of Assembly Chamber, where they observed the legislative proceedings and were received by Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The visit gave them first-hand exposure to how laws are made and reinforced their belief that leadership can — and must — respond to their needs.
UNICEF expressed readiness to continue supporting Lagos State in areas such as:
Child protection
Education reform
Health and nutrition
Identity registration
Safe learning environments
As the programme closed, UNICEF and Lagos legislators reaffirmed their shared commitment to creating a Lagos where every child survives, learns, is protected, and is heard.
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