Millions of children in northern Nigeria are missing out on education, but hope is on the horizon. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is ramping up efforts in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states to address the crisis of out-of-school children.
“Katsina alone has 536,112 out-of-school children,” said Rahama Mohammed-Farah, UNICEF Chief of the Kano Field Office, during a briefing on International Day of Education 2025. Across Nigeria, there are 10.2 million out-of-school primary-level children, with 16% of them concentrated in these three northern states, according to MICS 2021.
UNICEF’s initiatives focus on increasing school enrollment, improving teacher training, and upgrading infrastructure. “We are also providing hygiene and sanitation facilities, safe drinking water, and instructional materials to create a conducive learning environment,” Mohammed-Farah added.
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In addition, UNICEF has introduced the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), a digital platform offering free access to over 15,000 curriculum-aligned resources. So far, 182,170 children, teachers, and parents have registered, enhancing learning opportunities for students in underserved areas.
Northwest Nigeria faces one of the highest rates of out-of-school children, compounded by poor learning outcomes for those in school. “Education is a fundamental human right and the engine of societal development,” Mohammed-Farah emphasised.
UNICEF is also addressing the psychological impact of conflict and violence on children. “Our psychosocial programs help children cope with trauma and foster a safe learning atmosphere,” he said.
The organization called on state governments to allocate more resources to basic education. With targeted support and innovative solutions like digital learning, UNICEF aims to bring thousands of children back to school and secure a brighter future for Nigeria’s next generation.
