As Nigeria celebrates Children’s Day 2025 with the compelling theme “Tapping the Untapped Natural Treasure”, PLAN Foundation joins millions across the country in honouring the unique, vast, and often overlooked potential of every Nigerian child particularly those living with disabilities.

This year’s theme is a call to action: to recognize and nurture the limitless talent, creativity, and resilience of children, regardless of their background or physical ability. At PLAN Foundation, we believe that every child is a natural treasure whose potential must not only be recognized but also actively supported and developed.

Children with disabilities are often among the most marginalized in our communities. Yet, they are equally gifted with dreams, skills, and capabilities waiting to be unlocked. To truly tap into Nigeria’s greatest resource, her children, we must adopt a fully inclusive approach that ensures no child is left behind.

A key focus for PLAN Foundation is addressing the burden of clubfoot, a congenital condition that causes one or both feet to twist inward and downward. Left untreated, clubfoot can become a major barrier to mobility, independence, education, and full societal participation. Tragically, this condition disproportionately affects children from low-income families who lack access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

We fully understand that clubfoot is not just a medical issue, but also a social and developmental one. It is a barrier that can block a child’s path to education, limit their dreams, and deny them the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their community. At PLAN Foundation, we are committed to changing that narrative.

Through our clubfoot program in Oyo State sponsored by MiracleFeet, we provide free diagnosis, early referral, and full treatment for children aged 0–5 years, ensuring that economic status does not determine a child’s future. Our clinics are equipped to offer the Ponseti method a globally recognized and effective treatment for children at the earliest stages of life, when intervention is most successful.

In line with our long-term vision and in response to the increasing demand, PLAN Foundation is expanding its reach in the 2026 financial year, targeting additional facilities across underserved areas in Southwestern Nigeria. Our goal is to connect more children with life- changing care, ensuring that their journey to mobility, education, and success begins without unnecessary barriers.

As we mark this Children’s Day, PLAN Foundation reaffirms its commitment to discovery and utilization of the untapped natural treasures in every Nigeria child, irrespective of the social, economic, religious, ethnic or disability status. We call on the government, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities to create inclusive, supportive systems where every child especially those with disabilities can thrive.

Together, let’s tap into the brilliance of our children and build a more inclusive Nigeria.

PLAN Foundation is a member of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the World Patients Alliance (WPA), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the Stop TB Partnership, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD), the Global Health Council (GHC), as well as various other relevant regional and global networks, movements, and professional associations aligned with its vision of a Nigeria where the individual, family, and community are adequately empowered to protect themselves against poverty, underdevelopment, and the spread of diseases.

For more details on PLAN Foundation, engage us on our social media accounts on
X (Twitter): @NG_PLAN
Instagram: @planfoundationng
Facebook: @PLANFoundationNG
YouTube: @PLANFoundationNG

Ifedayo Osemwegie
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer
+2348038320421
ifedayo@planfoundation.org.ng