Rite Foods Limited has called for stronger support systems for children across Nigeria as the country celebrates Children’s Day 2026.

The food and beverage company said Nigerian children must be encouraged to dream boldly, regardless of their background or social circumstances.

In a statement released to commemorate the annual celebration, the company said this year’s Children’s Day theme, “Inclusive for Every Child,” highlights the need for safe and supportive environments where children can learn, grow, and develop confidence.

The company also used the occasion to advocate inclusive education, family support, and equal opportunities for children across the country.

Why it matters

Children’s Day is widely celebrated across Nigeria and often serves as a platform for discussions about child welfare, education, healthcare, and social development.

Education experts and child advocates have repeatedly warned that millions of Nigerian children still face barriers to quality education, nutrition, and safe learning environments, particularly in underserved communities.

Against this backdrop, corporate organisations have increasingly used Children’s Day campaigns to promote social responsibility initiatives focused on education and youth empowerment.

Analysts say such campaigns can help amplify conversations around child development, especially at a time when families continue to face economic pressures linked to inflation and rising living costs.

“Every child carries greatness” — Rite Foods CEO

Speaking on the significance of the celebration, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods, Seleem Adegunwa, said children remain central to Nigeria’s future development.

“Every child carries greatness inside them. When children are given access to education, guidance, love, and opportunities, they become confident leaders, innovators, and changemakers for tomorrow. We must continue to create environments that empower children to dream without limits,” he said.

He added that the company remains committed to supporting Nigerian families through products designed to provide “refreshment, happiness, and value.”

Rite Foods’ product portfolio includes Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Table Water, Sosa Fruit Drinks, Fearless Energy Drink, Rite Spicy Sausage, and Bigi sausage products.

Investment in children seen as investment in Nigeria’s future

The company’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, said investment in children remains critical to national development.

“Children are the future leaders, creators, and builders of our nation. When we invest in their education and values today, we are building a stronger and brighter tomorrow for Nigeria. Every child deserves the chance to shine,” he said.

The company said it has continued to engage young Nigerians through initiatives aimed at encouraging creativity, confidence, and self-expression.

Industry recognition and consumer reach

Rite Foods said its operations in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector have earned international recognition, including the “Best Foods and Beverage Brand Award” at the Global Brand Awards.

Industry observers say Nigeria’s FMCG sector has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with companies investing heavily in youth-focused branding and consumer engagement strategies.

The company said it plans to continue promoting initiatives that inspire children and families while strengthening consumer satisfaction through innovation and product quality.

What’s next?

As Children’s Day celebrations continue nationwide, stakeholders in education, business, and civil society are expected to intensify conversations around child protection, access to learning, and youth development.

Rite Foods says its message to Nigerian children is simple: continue believing in your abilities and embrace the opportunities ahead.

Wema Bank has unveiled a series of incentives and empowerment initiatives for children as part of its 2026 Children’s Day celebration, including birthday cash rewards, ₦100,000 examination prizes and nationwide STEM competitions.

The bank announced the initiatives during its Children’s Day Special Event held on Monday, 25 May 2026, where Wema Bank’s One-Day MD/CEO, Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata, officially introduced the programmes.

According to the bank, the initiative is designed to strengthen leadership development, financial literacy, academic excellence and innovation among young Nigerians.

The programmes will be delivered through the Bank’s Royal Kiddies Account and the ALAT Xplore platform.

Children to receive birthday cash rewards

One of the major highlights is a year-long birthday reward initiative for children with active Royal Kiddies accounts.

Under the scheme, children turning five years old will receive ₦5,000, while those celebrating their 10th birthdays will automatically receive ₦10,000 as birthday gifts.

The initiative will run from May 2026 to May 2027.

The bank also stated that children who turned five or 10 before May 2026 would still qualify for the reward this month, provided their Royal Kiddies accounts remain active.

₦100,000 rewards for top examination candidates

In another major announcement, Wema Bank disclosed plans to reward the top 100 students in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) with ₦100,000 each.

The initiative is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and is aimed at encouraging academic excellence among young learners across Nigeria.

To qualify, beneficiaries must maintain active Royal Kiddies accounts with the bank.

Education analysts say initiatives like this could help motivate students and provide financial support for families navigating rising education costs.

Parents and guardians may also see the programme as an incentive to encourage savings habits among children from an early age.

Bank launches financial literacy book for children

As part of efforts to improve financial education among young Nigerians, Wema Bank also launched “Money Adventures,” a financial literacy book designed for children aged six and above.

The book introduces children to saving culture, money management and responsible financial habits using simplified and age-appropriate lessons.

Children can access copies of the book through active Royal Kiddies accounts or by opening new accounts.

Financial experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of introducing financial literacy early, especially as digital banking adoption continues to grow among younger demographics in Nigeria.

STEM challenge targets secondary school students

The bank further announced the launch of the Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge through its ALAT Xplore platform.

The initiative is targeted at secondary school students aged 13 to 17 and will be hosted in six schools across Nigeria with established STEM programmes.

The challenge will include hands-on competitions and school engagements focused on innovation, technology awareness, financial literacy and responsible savings culture.

Winners are expected to receive monetary prizes.

Eligible participants must be ALAT Xplore customers and attend participating schools with active STEM programmes.

Why the initiative matters

The announcement reflects growing competition among Nigerian banks to attract younger customers through digital products, educational programmes and youth-focused financial services.

For Wema Bank, the initiative also signals a broader push to position itself as a family-focused and youth-oriented financial institution.

Over the past four years, the bank has expanded its Children’s Day activities through leadership experiences, school tours, financial literacy campaigns and its One-Day MD/CEO programme.

However, this marks the first time the bank is introducing:

A year-long Children’s Day initiative

Six-figure academic rewards

Nationwide STEM-focused school engagements

Dedicated financial literacy materials for children

Industry observers say the move could strengthen financial inclusion among children and teenagers while encouraging responsible banking habits from an early age.

What’s next?

The birthday reward initiative has already commenced and will continue until May 2027.

The ₦100,000 NCEE reward programme is expected to begin in June 2026, while details of participating schools for the STEM challenge are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Parents interested in the programmes are expected to activate or maintain Royal Kiddies and ALAT Xplore accounts for eligible children.

The Caring Heart Initiatives (CHI), the charity arm of the International Church of Christ, has donated educational materials and conducted tuberculosis screenings for more than 100 public primary school pupils in Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The intervention, held on Tuesday in partnership with the Shomolu Local Government and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, combined healthcare awareness with back-to-school support for children in several public schools across the community.

Pupils from schools including St. Paul UNA Primary School, St. Augustine Primary School and Modupe Primary School participated in the programme, which featured the distribution of school bags, books and health checks.

Why the initiative matters

The programme comes amid growing concerns about access to quality education and preventive healthcare for children in underserved communities across Nigeria.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that tuberculosis remains a major health concern in Nigeria, particularly where awareness and early detection are limited. Education advocates have also stressed the importance of improving access to learning materials for children in public schools.

Speaking during the event, CHI Board Chairman, Elder Imagbe Igbinoba, described the outreach as the beginning of a long-term partnership focused on supporting children’s development.

“We are grateful for the warm reception from the local government and all the officials. We are happy to be here. This is the beginning of a fruitful partnership that will help children go far in life,” he said.

He added that the organisation aimed to support government efforts to improve educational access, particularly for young children.

“We are here to support government in making education more accessible. A major focus for us is Early Childhood Development, particularly for children between the ages of zero and six years.”

According to Igbinoba, research shows that a large percentage of brain development occurs before the age of five, making early education and proper care essential.

“We are committed to making education more accessible across Lagos State through support and partnerships such as this,” he added.

Local government praises partnership

Also speaking at the event, Mrs Shakirat Ashimi commended the collaboration, describing the programme as both timely and impactful.

“We are grateful to CHI for the two-in-one educational and health programmes today through donations of educational relief materials including bags and books, as well as health checks and enlightenment about tuberculosis through partnership with the Institute of Virology,” she said.

Ashimi said the local government remained committed to improving primary healthcare and educational infrastructure within the area.

“Our vision is to make Shomolu primary schools places for learning and excellence.”

She also stressed the importance of early disease detection, noting that healthier children are more likely to perform better academically.

“Children should remain committed to their studies,” she advised.

Focus on vulnerable children

Chairperson of CHI’s Fundraising Committee, Dr Mrs Funmi Aina, said the outreach formed part of the organisation’s broader effort to support vulnerable children and families.

“At Caring Hearts, we believe that education is not only a basic right, but also a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and creating long-term opportunities for children,” she said.

Aina explained that the programme was designed not only to provide immediate support but also to restore dignity and create better opportunities for children.

“This programme goes beyond providing school materials or immediate support; it is about restoring hope, promoting dignity, and creating an enabling environment for children to thrive.”

She said CHI had continued to support children through nutrition assistance, school support programmes and welfare interventions aimed at improving inclusion and learning outcomes.

“We strongly believe that every investment made in a child today is an investment in a stronger and more productive society tomorrow,” she stated.

Aina also called for stronger cooperation between governments, development organisations and philanthropists to ensure vulnerable children are not excluded from opportunities.

“At the heart of this programme is a simple but important objective: to ensure that no child is left behind, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

Growing intersection of education and public health

The Shomolu outreach reflects a growing trend among non-governmental organisations and community groups to combine education support with preventive healthcare initiatives.

Experts say integrating health screenings into school programmes can help improve attendance, learning outcomes and early diagnosis of infectious diseases among children.

Community stakeholders at the event also encouraged parents and guardians to remain actively involved in children’s education and wellbeing.

Dignitaries present included senior officials from CHI, the International Church of Christ, and Shomolu Local Government education and administrative departments.