Int’l Day Of Play: Fear Steals Play From Nigerian Children – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says too many Nigerian children are not playing due to fear of insecurity in the country.

Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, said this during the celebration of 2026 International Day of Play, on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the celebration is ” Protect Play, Protect Childhood”.

Lafoucriere said that in recent months, children have been taken into captivity from their schools in Borno, Niger, Kebbi, and just last month, in nearby Oyo State.

She noted some of the abducted children have unfortunately not come home yet.

“Let me start with our children. We are glad you are here today, and we are glad you are safe.

“Because right now, across this country, there are children who cannot say the same.

In recent months, children have been taken into captivity from their schools in Borno State, Niger, Kebbi, and just last month, in nearby Oyo State.

Some of those children have unfortunately not come home yet.

This is the reality of childhood in the country in 2026. And we cannot stand here, on International Day of Play, and pretend otherwise.

“You will agree with me that too many children in the country are not playing.

“Some cannot play because their schools are overcrowded.

Some because there is no space, no time, no materials. And some because they are too afraid to come to school.

” Their parents are too afraid to send them.

“The school compound, which should be the safest place in a child’s life, has become a place of fear.

“But we are also here today because we refuse to let fear have the last word”, she said.

Lafoucriere said that when
a child plays, their brain grows, added that when they explore and build things and laugh with their friends, they are learning.

” No worksheet can do what play does.

“Play is not a reward for finishing work. Play is the work. And no child should be denied that.

“Not by overcrowded classrooms. Not by anyone with a gun.

“Let us all – journalists, government officials, parents leave here today with this:

“A child who is not safe cannot learn. A child who cannot play will not grow into who they are meant to be.

” These two things are connected, and both of them need fixing now.

“Our children are watching, let us not let them down”, he said.