By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, has raised the alarm over the deteriorating state of security in Nigerian schools, warning that the prevailing atmosphere of fear is depriving children of their right to play and healthy development.
Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Play held at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) office in Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Lafoucriere lamented that the school environment—traditionally a sanctuary for learning—has increasingly become a theater of fear for many Nigerian children.
Highlighting the plight of students across the country, the UNICEF representative noted that the recurring incidents of school abductions have created a climate of anxiety that hampers education.
“In recent months, children have been taken into captivity from their schools in Borno, Niger, Kebbi, and just last month, in nearby Oyo State.
Some of those children have unfortunately not come home yet,” Lafoucriere said. “This is the reality of childhood in the country in 2026. We cannot stand here, on International Day of Play, and pretend otherwise.”
She pointed out that beyond the threat of insecurity, many children are also denied the opportunity to play due to systemic challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, lack of designated spaces, and absence of necessary materials.
Refuting the notion that play is a frivolous activity, the UNICEF chief stressed its critical role in cognitive and social growth. She emphasized that play is a fundamental component of the learning process, not merely a reward for academic completion.
“When a child plays, their brain grows. When they explore and build things and laugh with their friends, they are learning. No worksheet can do what play does. Play is the work, and no child should be denied that—not by overcrowded classrooms, not by anyone with a gun,” she asserted.
Lafoucriere called on government officials, parents, and stakeholders to take urgent action to restore safety to the school environment, noting that education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of terror.
“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,” she concluded, urging leaders not to fail the younger generation.
