While Children’s Day is marked across Nigeria on May 27 with festivities, play, and celebration, a very different reality plays out inside hospital wards where young cancer patients continue their treatment journeys.
Instead of games, outings, and laughter, seven-year-old Lois Adebayo is spending the day in a hospital bed. She has been undergoing treatment for leukaemia, a cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, for nearly three years.
Her mother, Mrs. Glory Adebayo, affectionately calls her “my warrior princess,” a reflection of the strength she has shown through repeated hospital visits, painful procedures, and long periods of treatment.
“It has been a difficult journey, but we remain grateful to God for how far we’ve come,” she said, expressing a mix of gratitude and fatigue.
In another case, Mrs. Sadiya Usman, whose 14-month-old daughter Maryam Yakubu is also receiving cancer treatment, said recent visits and gestures of support helped lift their spirits and reminded them of life beyond hospital walls.
For many families, childhood cancer goes far beyond a medical condition, often bringing emotional strain, financial pressure, and psychological distress that affects every aspect of daily life.
Health data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that childhood cancer is among the leading causes of disease-related deaths in children and adolescents globally, with an estimated 400,000 new cases recorded annually among those aged 0 to 19 years. Common forms include leukaemia, brain tumours, lymphomas, and other solid tumours such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumour.
Medical experts note that survival rates remain significantly lower in low- and middle-income countries due to late diagnosis, limited treatment access, and gaps in healthcare infrastructure.
These challenges were highlighted during a Children’s Day outreach organised by the Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) for children receiving care at the National Hospital Abuja, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
Held ahead of the official celebration due to its overlap with Eid-el-Kabir activities, the outreach aimed to reassure young patients that they remain valued and supported despite their health conditions.
For a few hours, hospital environments were filled with music, gifts, and laughter as volunteers, healthcare workers, and families joined in celebrating the courage of the children.
According to Ms. Chioma Ikechukwu, Event Coordinator for OkapiCCF, the initiative is designed to ensure that children undergoing treatment do not feel isolated from society.
“We don’t just support treatment; we celebrate them during special moments like Children’s Day and other occasions,” she said, adding that the goal is to remind the children that they are loved and have a future to look forward to.
She also pointed out that lack of awareness remains a major obstacle in childhood cancer care, as many people do not realise that children can develop cancer until it is already advanced.
Doctors also emphasise that early detection plays a critical role in treatment success. Dr. Kefas Jibir-Gurama, Head of Paediatrics at FMC Abuja, explained that many parents initially mistake symptoms for common illnesses or turn to alternative remedies before seeking proper medical care.
“When diagnosis happens early, treatment outcomes are much better. Late presentation often limits available options,” he said.
He also noted that families face not only medical challenges but also emotional and financial strain, making occasional celebrations important for restoring morale and a sense of normalcy.
At the National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Wunmi Oyesakin, a senior paediatric oncologist, praised the consistent support provided by OkapiCCF over the years, noting that their efforts continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, she stressed that charity alone cannot solve the systemic challenges in cancer care and called for stronger government investment in equipment, treatment facilities, and health insurance coverage.
She added that survival rates for childhood cancer exceed 80 per cent in developed countries, but remain below 20 per cent in Nigeria, largely due to late diagnosis and limited resources.
For many parents, the greatest challenge remains the cost of treatment. Mrs. Adebayo revealed that her daughter has been recommended for a bone marrow transplant estimated at over ₦90 million—far beyond the family’s financial capacity.
“We are still holding on to hope. We don’t know how, but we believe help will come,” she said, appealing for public assistance.
Across the various hospitals, stakeholders agreed that while awareness campaigns and charitable interventions have provided relief for some families, much more systemic support is still needed.
As Nigeria marks Children’s Day 2026, the experiences of children like Lois highlight a quieter struggle behind the celebrations—one where hope is measured not in gifts or parties, but in survival and the chance for a healthier future.