· 90% of children aged 1-14 subjected to one form of violence
The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, MICS, conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, says Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have the highest rate of birth registrations in the country.
The MICS, which was launched last Tuesday, in Abuja, by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, shows that Lagos topped the list with 94 per cent and FCT followed with 87 per cent, while the lowest levels of birth registration are in Jigawa with 23.6 per cent and Sokoto 22 per cent.
MICS is a household survey developed by UNICEF to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring human development indicators in general and the situation of children and women, in particular.
The report noted that more than half of all children under the age of five, representing 57 per cent, have their births registered with civil authorities in 2021, which is an increase of 10 per cent points from 5 years ago.
On the issue of violent discipline, it said nine out of every ten children aged 1-14 years, representing 90 per cent are subject to at least one form of violent discipline by caregivers, indicating an increase of 5 per cent points from 5 years ago.
It, however, noted that the lowest level of violent discipline is registered in Sokoto with 62 per cent, while the highest levels are in Cross River with 99 per cent and Imo with 99 per cent as well.
The report further indicated that three out of every ten children aged 5-17 years, representing 32 per cent are engaged in child labour, which indicates a decrease of 19 per cent points from 5 years ago.
According to MICS, the smallest proportions of children engaged in child labour are found in Lagos with 10 per cent and Ondo with 9, while Bauchi and Katsina have the largest proportions with 55 per cent and 50 respectively.
On the distribution of marriage by age, the survey indicates that three out of every ten women aged 20-24 years, 30 per cent were married or in a union before their 18th birthday, which represents a decrease of 14 per cent points from 5 years ago.
It noted that the lowest levels of child marriage are found in Enugu with 4 per cent and Lagos with 3 per cent while the highest levels are in Bauchi with 74 per cent and Jigawa with 72 per cent.
Other areas reported by the MICS include: female genital mutilation, FGM, breastfeeding, reading skills among adolescents, open defecation among others.
The MICS said “15% of women aged 15-49 years have undergone FGM, down from 18% in 2016. 8% of girls aged 0-14 years have undergone FGM, down from 25% in 2016. The lowest levels of FGM among women aged 15-49 years are found in Gombe (0%) and Zamfara (0%). The highest levels are in Kwara (58%) and Ekiti (50%).
“Two out of every ten newborn children (23%) are breastfed within one hour of birth. This a decrease from three out of every ten from 5 years ago. The highest percentage of newborn children who were breastfed within one hour of birth is found in Osun (75%). The lowest levels are in Jigawa (8%) and Imo (7%).
“Among children and adolescents aged 7-14 years only 27% have foundational reading skills and only 25% have foundational numeracy skills. The lowest out-of-school rates are found in Ekiti (2%) and Imo (1%). The highest rates are in Kebbi (65%), Zamfara (61%) and Bauchi (61%).
“One out of every five people (22%) practice open defecation. This is an increase of 2% points from 5 years ago. The lowest open defecation rates are found in Zamfara (3%) and Lagos (2%). The highest rates are in Kogi (53%) and Niger (52%).”
