First Lady tells World Bank: Early childhood development critical for children's focus

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on the World Bank to invest in early childhood development, stating it is crucial for sharpening children's focus and improving their growth opportunities. During a meeting with a World Bank delegation in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the Nigerian government's dedication to initiatives that advance the nation and its citizens, noting that the country's large population is a significant advantage.

“

The population size of Nigeria alone is our advantage because Nigeria is a great nation.

Tinubu also highlighted ongoing efforts in environmental cleanliness and sanitation, referencing a "Green Challenge" initiative. She praised the current administration's multisectoral approach and the competence of President Bola Tinubu's cabinet. The First Lady assured continued collaboration with state governors' wives to drive interventions for children, expressing a strong commitment to establishing a robust school feeding program, a passion shared by the President.

“

The ministries have also been doing their best for the benefit of our nation, including work on the environment and sanitation, because environmental cleanliness is very important. I worked with the Minister of Environment to an extent, and that was why we started the Green Challenge.

Mathew Verghis, the World Bank Country Director, advocated for broader partnerships to bolster early childhood development (ECD) in Nigeria. He described ECD as the nation's most critical long-term investment, outlining a five-to-six-year framework for joint projects. The strategy includes enhancing nutrition and promoting healthy living for Nigerian children, with investments from pregnancy to age five yielding substantial returns by improving cognitive skills, reducing health costs, and combating poverty.

“

You talked about a multisectoral approach; that is what we have been doing. I will say that Mr President has assembled a wonderful team, they understand the tasks.

Verghis noted that Nigeria is a major partner for the World Bank, which invests significantly in people through education, nutrition, and skills programs. He suggested that the First Lady's platform could accelerate a multisectoral approach to ensure the success of ECD programs nationwide, underscoring the importance of investing in human capital for Nigeria's development.

“

The population size of Nigeria alone is our advantage because Nigeria is a great nation.