Tears, sweat on Children’s Day

•Silent pain of Nigeria’s out-of-school children

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, YETUNDE AJANAKU reports that many children across the country are not celebrating with colourful uniforms, classroom games, gifts, or school parades. Instead, these children are battling the harsh realities of poverty, school dropout, child labour, and uncertainty about their future.

While Children’s Day is meant to celebrate the rights, welfare, and protection of every child, for some children in parts of Ibadan, the day only reminds them of the opportunities they no longer have. Some now roam the streets in search of daily survival instead of sitting in classrooms. Others carry the burden of financial hardship at tender ages, helping their parents struggle through difficult economic conditions.

For many of these children, education has become a luxury their families can no longer afford.

During a visit to some communities, Sunday Tribune saw children whose dreams and aspirations are gradually being threatened by poverty and lack of support. Their stories reveal the painful realities behind Nigeria’s growing number of out-of-school children and why many parents are desperately calling for urgent government intervention.

Thirteen-year-old Monsurat Kayode from Idi Arere spoke about how her education came to a sudden halt. Monsurat, who once attended a private school, explained that things became difficult when her mother could no longer cope financially.

According to her, the absence of her father placed all responsibilities on her mother, who struggled daily to provide food and other necessities for the family.

“I want to go back to school,” she said emotionally. “I miss my friends and my teachers. My mummy is trying, but there is no money, and I don’t just want to remain at home sitting while others are in school.” While explaining how unhappy she feels seeing her friends going to school every day, she added, “I want the government to help children like me.”

At her age, Monsurat should be worried about assignments and examinations, not whether her family can afford school fees.

I spoke to Iya Monsurat, as the neighbour described her. She explained that she had tried everything possible to keep her daughter in school, but the rising cost of living made it impossible.

“Sometimes, feeding becomes the priority ever since I lost my husband,” the woman said. “When there is no money, school fees become another problem entirely.”

Like Monsurat, 17-year-old Omolayo also had dreams of completing her secondary education and sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). However, financial hardship forced her to stop schooling before achieving that dream.

Speaking with sadness in her voice, Omolayo explained that she once attended a private school and had high hopes for the future before her family’s financial struggles worsened.

“I really want to write my WAEC,” she said. “I wanted to continue my education and become successful in life, but there was nobody to help my mother. Everything became difficult.”

She added that watching her peers continue their education while she remained at home was emotionally painful.

“Anytime I see students going to school, I feel bad because I know I’m supposed to be among them,” she said.

“My dream is to become a nurse in future and support my other siblings.”

Omolayo appealed passionately to the government and well-meaning Nigerians to support children whose education has been interrupted by poverty.

“If there is help, I will gladly go back to school,” she added.

As for 14-year-old Omolayo Matthew, he currently attends a public school but fears he may soon drop out because of financial difficulties.

Unlike some children who have already stopped schooling completely, Matthew still struggles to hold on to his dreams despite the uncertainty surrounding his education.

The teenager, who hopes to become a police officer someday, said his mother has been solely responsible for the family’s welfare.

“My mommy is the only one taking care of us,” he explained. “I want to become a police officer in future and make her proud.”

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However, he fears his dreams may be cut short if financial support does not come soon.

“I want to write my Junior WAEC, but things are difficult at home,” he said. “I just pray I can continue school.”

Despite the hardship surrounding him, Matthew still carries hope in his heart, a hope shared by many Nigerian children who continue to dream despite difficult realities.

Along the roadside in Akuro, I encountered another painful scene that reflected the silent struggles many children endure daily.

Young Enoch Ayodele stood under the hot sun hawking sachet water while other children his age were in school learning. Passersby bought water from him without knowing the burden hidden behind his small smile.

When asked why he was not in school, Enoch explained that there was no money for his education and that he needed to support his mother, who sells used shoes for survival.

“I’m helping my mommy,” he said. “Things are hard, and there is no money for school.”

The young boy admitted he wished he could return to the classroom someday.

“I want to go back to school if somebody can help us,” he said quietly.

His words reflected the harsh reality of child labour driven by poverty and economic hardship.

Across Nigeria, many children are forced into street trading, hawking, and other forms of labour to support their families instead of receiving an education.

Education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that increasing poverty levels and economic instability continue to push more children out of school, especially in low-income communities.

For many struggling parents, survival now takes priority over education.

Some parents who spoke with Nigerian Tribune lamented the worsening economic condition in the country, saying many families genuinely desire education for their children but can no longer afford the cost.

One of the parents, Olubola Raimi, explained that many mothers carry enormous responsibilities alone due to abandonment, unemployment, or insufficient support from their spouses.

According to her, women in small-scale businesses are finding it difficult to survive because of poor sales and rising prices of goods.

“We want our children to go to school,” she said. “No mother wants her child to stay at home or suffer on the street. But things are hard.”

She appealed to the government to create more support systems for struggling parents, especially women managing small businesses.

“If businesses improve and women are empowered, many children will return to school,” she added.

Another parent, Omolayo Yetunde, also stressed the need for economic empowerment for women and struggling families.

She explained that many parents constantly seek help not because they enjoy dependency, but because survival has become increasingly difficult.

“We are not asking for luxury,” she said. “We just want to be able to feed our children and pay their school fees.”

According to her, government intervention through grants, empowerment programmes, and educational support could reduce the number of out-of-school children significantly.

“Most mothers are trying their best,” she added. “If our businesses grow, we can take care of our children better.”

Their concerns reflect the broader challenges facing many Nigerian households where inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs continue to affect family stability and children’s welfare.

Children’s Day celebrations often focus on speeches, entertainment, and ceremonial activities, but the experiences of children like Monsurat, Omolayo, Matthew, and Enoch highlight deeper issues that require urgent attention.

For many children, the right to education — one of the most fundamental rights of every child — remains inaccessible.

According to global child rights principles, every child deserves access to quality education, healthcare, protection, and opportunities to reach their full potential, regardless of social or economic background.

However, millions of children across Nigeria continue to face barriers preventing them from enjoying these rights fully.

Experts have repeatedly warned that when children are denied education, the long-term effects extend beyond individuals and affect society as a whole.

Out-of-school children are more vulnerable to exploitation, child labour, early marriage, crime, trafficking, and abuse. Lack of education also increases poverty levels across generations, creating cycles that become difficult to break.

Despite these realities, many of the children interviewed still hold tightly to hope.

Monsurat dreams of returning to school and rebuilding her future. Omolayo still hopes she can someday sit for her WAEC examinations. Matthew continues to dream of becoming a police officer. Enoch longs for a classroom instead of the roadside.

Their dreams remain alive, but without support, those dreams risk fading away.

Stakeholders say addressing the crisis of out-of-school children requires collective responsibility from government, communities, private organisations, and individuals.

Some education advocates have called for improved access to free and quality education, scholarship opportunities, economic empowerment for parents, and stricter measures against child labour.

Others believe community support systems and non-governmental interventions can also help vulnerable children remain in school.

As this year’s Children’s Day is celebrated, the stories of these children serve as powerful reminders that beyond celebrations and social media messages, many Nigerian children are silently crying for help.

For them, Children’s Day is not merely about uniforms, cakes, or parades. It is about survival, opportunity, and the hope for a better future.

Their voices echo a simple but urgent message: every child deserves the right to education, protection, and a chance to dream.

And until children like Monsurat, Omolayo, Matthew, and Enoch can freely sit in classrooms without fear of financial hardship cutting short their future, the true essence of Children’s Day remains incomplete.