LAGOS — Students at King's College Lagos have called for improved water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools and stronger measures to protect children from insecurity. The demands were made during activities marking the 2026 Day of the African Child, whose global theme focused on universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene. Water and sanitation are essential to children's health and ability to learn effectively. Schools without adequate toilets, clean water or handwashing facilities can expose pupils to preventable health problems and make the learning environment less comfortable. Students said access to basic facilities should be treated as an essential part of education rather than an optional addition. The condition of school infrastructure varies widely across Nigeria. Some schools have relatively good facilities, while others operate with inadequate classrooms, sanitation and water supply. Addressing those differences requires sustained investment and regular maintenance. Building new facilities without maintaining existing ones can result in resources being wasted over time. Hygiene education is also important. Students need to understand the connection between clean environments, handwashing, safe water and disease prevention. Schools can reinforce those lessons through practical activities and student-led initiatives. Security was another concern raised during the event. Insecurity has affected education in different parts of Nigeria, with incidents involving schools and students creating fear among families and disrupting academic activities. Protecting children requires cooperation between schools, communities and security agencies. Parents are more likely to keep children in school when they believe the environment is safe. School authorities can contribute by maintaining emergency procedures, monitoring access to school premises and communicating quickly with parents when security concerns arise. Government agencies also need to ensure that schools in vulnerable areas receive appropriate protection. The Day of the African Child provides an opportunity to consider children's rights beyond enrolment figures. Children require safe schools, quality teaching, adequate nutrition, healthcare and protection from violence. Improving these conditions can support both educational participation and long-term development. Students themselves can contribute to school improvement by promoting hygiene, respecting shared facilities and encouraging their peers to adopt healthy practices. Schools can also establish sanitation clubs and other activities that make pupils active participants in maintaining clean environments. The concerns raised at King's College reflect wider issues affecting children across Nigeria and Africa. Access to water and sanitation remains uneven, while insecurity continues to disrupt education in some communities. Addressing these challenges will require cooperation between governments, schools, families and development organisations. Education authorities should therefore consider infrastructure, health and security as connected parts of the learning environment. A child cannot be expected to learn effectively in an unsafe or unhealthy school. The Day of the African Child provided a platform for students to express those concerns directly. Their demands underline the importance of creating schools where children can learn in conditions that protect their health, dignity and safety.