Every Child Deserves The Chance To Grow, Learn, And Thrive.

The first five years of life shape how children learn, communicate, build relationships, and experience the world. Across Nigeria, millions of children are growing up under very different conditions. While some children have access to healthcare, nutrition, stimulation, and early learning, many others are growing up without the support systems that help children thrive.

83.5%

of Nigerian children under five live in multidimensional poverty.

A woman sitting in a photo studio

Why Early Childhood Development Matters

The earliest years shape everything that comes after.

Before children ever step into a classroom, their brains are already developing at an extraordinary pace. The experiences children have in these early years influence how they think, learn, communicate, and build relationships for the rest of their lives. When children receive proper nutrition, responsive caregiving, healthcare, safety, and opportunities to learn, they are more likely to thrive in school and beyond.

Before children ever step into a classroom, their brains are already developing at an extraordinary pace. The experiences children have in these early years influence how they think, learn, communicate, and build relationships for the rest of their lives. When children receive proper nutrition, responsive caregiving, healthcare, safety, and opportunities to learn, they are more likely to thrive in school and beyond.

A woman sitting in a photo studio
A woman sitting in a photo studio
Explore How Childhood
Experiences Differ across States

Children across Nigeria are growing up in very different realities. Each map reveals both progress and gaps, exploring where children are being supported and where more attention is needed.

Children across Nigeria are growing up in very different realities. Each map reveals both progress and gaps, exploring where children are being supported and where more attention is needed.

STORIES TOLD THROUGH LENSES

A child’s development in their early years is inseparable from their health. It’s not just about whether they survive infancy, but whether their bodies and minds are given the chance to grow strong. In our ECD framework, this pillar captures the situation through five lenses that together tell the story of survival and care:

Constituent Sub-Indicators

  • Under-five mortality – the stark measure of whether children make it past their fifth birthday.
  • Neonatal mortality – the fragile first month of life, when mothers and newborns need skilled care most.
  • Diarrhoeal disease incidence – a signal of sanitation and safe water, showing how everyday environments affect resilience.
  • DPT3 immunisation coverage – protection against preventable killers like diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
  • Skilled birth attendance – whether trained professionals support mothers during delivery.

Scoring Framework

≥ 2.33Severe deficiency requiring urgent, targeted intervention.
1.67–2.33Significant gaps exist; performance is below desirable levels.
≤ 1Relatively stronger performance relative to national peers.

A child’s development in their early years is inseparable from their health. It’s not just about whether they survive infancy, but whether their bodies and minds are given the chance to grow strong. In our ECD framework, this pillar captures the situation through five lenses that together tell the story of survival and care:

Constituent Sub-Indicators

  • Under-five mortality – the stark measure of whether children make it past their fifth birthday.
  • Neonatal mortality – the fragile first month of life, when mothers and newborns need skilled care most.
  • Diarrhoeal disease incidence – a signal of sanitation and safe water, showing how everyday environments affect resilience.
  • DPT3 immunisation coverage – protection against preventable killers like diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
  • Skilled birth attendance – whether trained professionals support mothers during delivery.

Scoring Framework

≥ 2.33Severe deficiency requiring urgent, targeted intervention.
1.67–2.33Significant gaps exist; performance is below desirable levels.
≤ 1Relatively stronger performance relative to national peers.

Explore the Toolkit

It Takes Everyone

© 2026 Gatefield. All rights reserved.

It Takes Everyone

© 2026 Gatefield. All rights reserved.

It Takes Everyone

© 2026 Gatefield. All rights reserved.