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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the many out-of-school children in Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina. Mr. Rahama Mohammed-Farah, Chief of UNICEF's Kano Field Office, made this pledge during a media briefing on the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025 in Kano.

A Worrying Trend in the Northwest

Nigeria's northwest region has the second-highest number of out-of-school children, with Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina contributing significantly to this crisis. According to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS):

• 10.2 million primary-level children are out of school in Nigeria.
• 16% of this number are from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States.
• Katsina State alone has 536,112 out-of-school children.

Mr. Mohammed-Farah emphasized that poor learning outcomes among enrolled students further compound the issue, making urgent intervention necessary.

UNICEF's Interventions for Education Development

To tackle this challenge, UNICEF is implementing several strategies to increase school enrollment and improve learning conditions. These include:

• Enrollment Drives: encouraging more children to attend school through community sensitization.
• Teacher Training: Enhancing the capacity of educators to improve learning outcomes.
• Infrastructure Development: Constructing and renovating classrooms and schools.
• Provision of Learning Materials: Ensuring students have the necessary educational resources.
• Hygiene & Sanitation Facilities: Establishing safe drinking water points and personal hygiene stations.

Psychosocial Support & Digital Learning Innovation

Beyond basic education, UNICEF is also supporting psychosocial programs for children affected by conflict, violence, and trauma. These initiatives aim to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Additionally, UNICEF has introduced the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP)""a digital learning platform designed to expand access to education. Currently:

• 182,170 children, teachers, and parents are registered on the NLP.
• The platform provides free access to 15,000 curriculum-aligned educational resources.

Call for increased Government Support

Recognizing the importance of education as a fundamental human right and an engine of development, Mr. Mohammed-Farah urged state governments to:

• Increase budgetary allocations for basic education.
• Ensure the timely release of funds to support educational programs.

A Brighter Future for Children in the North-West

UNICEF's ongoing efforts in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina highlight the organization's commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality education. With continued support from the government and other stakeholders, millions of out-of-school children can be brought into classrooms, securing a better future for the region and the country at large.

Stay tuned for more updates on education development and UNICEF's impact in Nigeria.