…110 in Every 1,000 Children Die Before Age Five
…Economic Strain, Global Instability Undermine Reforms
Daud Olatunji
The World Bank has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening child development indicators, warning that the country is facing a silent crisis despite ongoing economic reforms.
The bank disclosed that about 110 out of every 1,000 Nigerian children die before their fifth birthday, a figure it described as alarming for a country with aspirations for rapid economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of the April 2026 Nigeria Development Update in Abuja, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said although recent reforms have begun to stabilise the economy, their impact has yet to be felt by ordinary Nigerians.
He said, “These numbers, for a country like Nigeria’s aspirations, should be treated as a crisis,” stressing that child survival and development must become a top national priority.
Verghis noted that key macroeconomic indicators, including inflation trends, external balances, and non-oil revenues, were showing signs of improvement following reforms introduced since mid-2023. However, he warned that high inflation remains a major threat to household welfare.
“Reducing high inflation is probably the single fastest way to allow people to feel the benefits of reforms,” he said, adding that persistent price pressures continue to weaken purchasing power across the country.
The report further highlighted the impact of global shocks, particularly tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed up energy and shipping costs, thereby worsening Nigeria’s inflationary challenges.
Findings showed that petrol prices have surged by about 50 per cent in recent months, while diesel costs have nearly doubled, leading to increased transportation and food prices nationwide.
The bank cautioned that without inclusive, job-driven growth, improvements in macroeconomic stability would not translate into better living conditions for citizens.
It called for urgent structural reforms, including easing trade restrictions on essential commodities and expanding targeted cash transfer programmes to cushion the impact of rising costs on vulnerable populations.
On infrastructure, Verghis emphasised the need for decisive reforms in the power sector, warning that Nigeria’s economic ambitions could remain unattainable without a functional electricity system.
“Without fixing the on-grid electricity system, Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1tn economy could remain out of reach,” he said.
Beyond economic policies, the World Bank stressed that Nigeria’s long-term growth prospects depend heavily on investments in human capital, particularly early childhood development.
According to the report, about 40 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted, while more than half are not developmentally on track before starting school due to poor access to nutrition, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and early learning.
Verghis said, “If Nigeria is to achieve high-income status and a more equal society, the most important investment to make will be in early childhood.”
He added that the burden of poor child development outcomes is more severe among low-income households and in northern regions, underscoring deep inequalities in access to basic services.
The World Bank, therefore, urged the Federal Government to treat early childhood development as a core economic priority, noting that such investments could yield annual returns of between seven and 13 per cent through improved productivity, higher earnings, and reduced long-term healthcare costs.
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