World Bank, experts urge more funding for education of displaced children

Investment in the education, healthcare, and nutrition of internally displaced children is critical for Nigeria's future human capital development, the World Bank warned. A decade of insurgency, particularly in the North-East, has left approximately 3.7 million Nigerians displaced, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

During a panel session at the Africa Social Impact Summit in Lagos, Zara Goni, representing the World Bank's Senior Social Development and Safeguards Specialist, emphasized that children in humanitarian settings deserve access to quality education and essential services. The bank advocates for early childhood development as a key strategy to break the cycle of poverty.

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Every naira invested in early childhood development generates several more naira through higher productivity and earnings. We have also found that children who receive early childhood development become better and more productive citizens.

Experts on the panel, including representatives from the Nigeria Coalition on Early Childhood Development in Crisis and Sterling One Foundation, discussed mobilizing private and philanthropic capital for early childhood development in crisis situations. Dr. Ritgak Tiiley-Gyado, a Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, presented research indicating that investing in children's formative years yields substantial long-term economic and social returns.

"Every naira invested in early childhood development generates several more naira through higher productivity and earnings," Tiiley-Gyado stated. The research suggests that children receiving quality early childhood education and care become healthier, more productive, and better-equipped citizens. This investment also promotes healthier populations and more stable societies later in life, while reducing social costs by shaping positive attitudes from childhood.

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It also promotes healthier populations because investment in health and nutrition during the early years leads to healthier and more stable societies later in life. It equally reduces social costs because positive attitudes are shaped during childhood.