A Non-Governmental Organisation focused on supporting children without parental care and families at risk, SOS Children’s Villages, has decried the over 17.5 million orphans living in Nigeria with little or no support for them.

The concern was raised on Thursday by the organisation’s Fund Development Manager, Thelma Ojelabi, in a statement issued by its Head of Brand and Communication, Rhoda Ocheche, to commemorate the World Development Information Day.

The WDI Day is commemorated every October 24 to highlight and create awareness of developmental issues and the importance of sustainable progress.

In May 2023, the Lagos State Government partnered with the organisation on the provision of transit care to ensure proper care for vulnerable children in the state.

Nigeria has called for urgent collective action to protect children from dire situations and promote sustainable development for a brighter future.

The organisation emphasised that addressing Nigeria’s challenges, particularly those affecting children, demands a united approach with strong and effective partnerships.

Ojelabi said, “Over 153 million children are orphaned and 17.5 million of that number are in Nigeria living in vulnerable conditions with little or no support for them. There is a dire need for attention to the most vulnerable children in Nigeria as they suffer all forms of child abuse due to the poor conditions they find themselves.

“It is our shared responsibility to mitigate the risks that push children into vulnerable conditions and work towards sustainable development for their future. The recent flood incidence in Borno State has indicated that any child can suddenly become vulnerable and exposed to harsh realities.

“This proves that one incident can spiral into an untold nightmare for a child from loss of livelihood to being out of school, exposure to violence, and poor health and nutrition. Unfortunately, many children face these issues due to one situation or the other.”

According to her, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria is open to meaningful collaborations and partnerships that can nurture and transform the lives of children in the country.