The Honourable Commissioner for Health in Osun State, Barr. Jola Akintola, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to prioritizing child health and welfare, declaring full support for the newly unveiled Osun State Early Childhood Development Strategy.
Speaking at the public presentation of the document on August 24 at the Ministry of Health conference room in Osogbo, Akintola described the strategy as a milestone that will transform early childhood care and secure a brighter future for children across the state.
“The best government can do is to ensure that this document is not only adopted in all our health facilities but also presented to the National Council on Health so it can be scaled across the federation,” the commissioner said, assuring that Osun would sponsor its rollout through the Ministry of Health.
Presenting the strategy, Dr. Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist and Developmental Pediatrician at Obafemi Awolowo University, and Country Director of the Early Childhood Development Project, described it as “the first multi-sectoral strategy of its kind in Nigeria.”
According to her, the strategy is a “promise for every child” in Osun State and beyond. “Every child deserves not just to survive but to thrive,” she said. “If fully implemented, this document will ensure responsive caregiving, proper nutrition, healthcare, safety, and access to early learning for every child born in Osun and hopefully across Nigeria.”
A major highlight of the strategy, Olorunmoteni explained, is developmental screening for children. “When screening is done early, children who are not performing optimally can be quickly identified,” she said.
“Interventions can then be introduced to put them back on track, ensuring they develop as they should. This is particularly critical in the first five years of life.”
She further emphasized that children with developmental delays or disabilities are not left out of the plan. “The strategy provides for coordinated, multi-sectoral care involving the health, education, and social welfare systems. The idea is to create an inclusive society where every child, regardless of their abilities, has the chance to flourish.”
While highlighting the focus on children from zero to five years old, Olorunmoteni noted that interventions must extend beyond that age bracket.
“Even though early childhood typically refers to ages zero to five, support for children with special needs must continue beyond school entry,” she said.
“We are talking about therapies, assistive devices, inclusive schooling, and hospital-based multidisciplinary care. No child should be left behind.”
She pointed out examples from other countries where families of children with disabilities receive social support, home-based therapies, and even allowances to ease the burden of care.
“That is the model we should aspire to,” she added. “Whether through mainstream schools or special education, we must ensure that Nigerian children with complex needs get the support they deserve.”
Olorunmoteni urged parents in Osun State to embrace developmental screening and regular visits to healthcare facilities from pregnancy through delivery and early childhood. “Parents play a central role,” she said.
“Regular check-ups, safe deliveries in accredited facilities, and responsiveness to professional advice will make a huge difference in a child’s development.”
On the broader national significance, she stressed that the Osun State initiative should serve as a model for the federation. “This is a great start for Osun State, and we hope it will be scaled nationally,” she added.
“Every child in Nigeria should have the opportunity to maximize their potential and contribute meaningfully to society. That is how we build a stronger nation.”
