UNICEF has commended the Nigerian government for rescuing 39 abducted schoolchildren and five teachers in Oyo state. The children and their teachers were kidnapped from three schools in the Oriire council area on May 15.

They regained freedom after 56 days of being held hostage by terrorists.

UNICEF executive director, Catherine Russell, led the organisation’s delegation during a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House on Thursday.

Other delegation members included UNICEF country representative Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, chief of staff Ted Mary, senior communications adviser Marlene Jensen, and executive specialist Nabila Jamshed.

Ms Russell praised the government’s commitment to women and children, describing investments in their welfare as essential to Nigeria’s future prosperity and long-term national development.

“I think investing in women and children is an investment in the future of the nation,” Ms Russell said. “UNICEF is glad to stay part of the team, helping as much as possible. We thank the leadership for rescuing children in conflict,” she said.

Ms Russell described conflict as one of the gravest threats facing children globally, exposing them to displacement, violence, abduction and severe psychological trauma, noting that “children need to be protected in these situations”.

She restated the importance of making schools safe through community-based interventions, saying the First Lady’s leadership remained vital to strengthening child protection efforts nationwide.

Ms Russell added that UNICEF continued supporting family tracing and reintegration programmes, helping rescued children reunite safely with their families after traumatic experiences.

The organisation also commended Mrs Tinubu for championing the registration of 14 million Nigerian children within two years through sustained birth registration campaigns.

UNICEF attributed the achievement partly to advocacy under the Renewed Hope Initiative, which accelerated birth registration across communities and strengthened children’s legal identity nationwide.

“Birth registration is one of the most important because children are part of our priority to guarantee a great future,” Ms Russell said.

(NAN)