Who Is Watching the Children? The Childcare Crisis in Nigeria

In this episode of Homefront, Blessing Adesiyan, Founder & CEO of Caring Africa and The Care Gap, sits down with Itoro Ugorji, Founder & CEO of The Baby Lounge, and Amara Agbim, Founder & CEO of The Nanny Academy, to unpack Nigeria’s growing childcare crisis and what it means for families, workers, and the economy.Together, they explore how the lack of accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare is affecting millions of families and costing the Nigerian economy billions in lost productivity. The conversation examines the realities of Nigeria’s largely informal care workforce, the challenges faced by childcare providers and domestic workers, and the societal attitudes that continue to undervalue care work.The guests also discuss practical solutions, from professional training and better working conditions for care workers to innovative childcare models, public-private partnerships, and the urgent need for government regulation and investment in the care sector.This episode makes one thing clear: childcare is not a personal issue, it is essential infrastructure for families, women’s economic participation, and national growth.