Ezekwesili, Enioluwa And Many Nigerians Reject Children’s Day Celebration Amid Rising School Kidnappings

 Nigeria marks the 2026 Children’s Day celebration on Wednesday, many citizens chose protest over celebration, using the occasion to demand urgent government action on the growing wave of school abductions across the country Public outrage intensified following the recent abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, barely 12 days before Children’s Day.

Across social media platforms, Nigerians expressed grief, anger, and frustration, insisting that there was little to celebrate while many children remained in captivity and insecurity continued to threaten access to education.

Among the loudest voices was former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, who released a strongly worded open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and members of the National Assembly.

In the statement shared on X, Ezekwesili criticised political leaders for what she described as performative celebrations while millions of Nigerian children continue to face insecurity, poverty, and exclusion from education.

“Do not dare open your mouths on May 27 to wish Nigerian children a ‘Happy Children’s Day,’” she wrote.

She further condemned public displays of celebration involving schoolchildren while many families continue to suffer from kidnappings and violence.

Ezekwesili referenced several mass abductions, including the recent Oyo incident and previous attacks dating back to the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, noting that thousands of children have been affected by school-related kidnappings in recent years.

According to her, nearly 19 million Nigerian children remain out of school due to insecurity, poverty, and other socio-economic factors, making Nigeria one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally.

She also criticised government failures in healthcare, child welfare, and education, describing official Children’s Day messages as hypocritical amid worsening conditions affecting Nigerian children.

Her comments quickly gained traction online, with many Nigerians echoing similar concerns.

Popular broadcaster Oseni Rufai wrote on X, “Children’s Day and children are in kidnappers’ den.”

Social media influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa dedicated the day to abducted children and victims of insecurity across the country.

“Today, Children’s Day is dedicated to the Ogbomoso children. To the children in the forests. To the children without safety, without protection,” he wrote.

“Children deserve safety. They deserve care. They deserve love from the country they call home. This can never become our new normal.”

Another X user, Nnaemeka, lamented that while politicians focused on politics, many parents were grieving over missing children.

Medical influencer and social commentator #OurFavOnlineDoc also urged Nigerians to lend their voices to calls for the safe return of kidnapped children.

Meanwhile, career coach and public commentator Dipo Awojide appealed to the Armed Forces to intensify efforts against terrorists and kidnappers operating within communities.

Similarly, Instagram user #bigvaijokotoye offered prayers for the safe return of abducted children and comfort for affected families.

The reactions have once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity in schools and the emotional toll of kidnappings on children, parents, and the nation’s education system.