COVID-19 and the Nigerian child: the time to act is now

COVID-19 has overwhelmed virtually every sector in resource-rich countries of the world and has gradually but steadily enveloped almost all of Africa. While her leaders grapple with the vivid realization of the myriad effects of the virus, the African children should not be the ‘hidden victims’ of the COVID-19 pandemic because they are among the most vulnerable. This narrative highlights the effects of the pandemic on the economic, education, health, mental and socio-cultural well-being of the Nigerian child and suggests ways to mitigate it. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian child are numerous. Policies should be set up urgently and interventions sourced to ameliorate the effect of the virus on the most vulnerable group in Nigeria.