UNICEF pledges to reduce out-of-school children in north

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its dedication to assisting Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states in addressing the significant number of out-of-school children and enhancing the education sector.

During a media briefing on the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025, held on Friday in Kano, Rahama Mohammed-Farah, the UNICEF chief of the Kano Field Office, disclosed that the North-West region has the second highest out-of-school population in Nigeria. 

He stated, “The out-of-school situation in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States is concerning, further worsened by poor learning outcomes for those children who are fortunate enough to be enrolled in school.

Currently, there are approximately 10.2 million children at the primary level who are out of school in Nigeria, with 16 percent of them coming from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, as per MICS 2021. Katsina State alone accounts for 536,112 out-of-school children.”

Ms. Mohammed-Farah emphasized that UNICEF will persist in supporting these states by enhancing enrollment efforts, building teacher capacity, improving infrastructure, and supplying instructional materials. Additional areas of intervention include providing personal hygiene and sanitation facilities, safe drinking water sources, and creating a conducive learning environment.

She highlighted the critical importance of education, describing it as a fundamental human right and a key driver of societal development. The field office chief urged these states to intensify their efforts in increasing budget allocations and releasing funds for basic education.

Furthermore, she mentioned that UNICEF has been implementing psychosocial programs for children impacted by conflicts, violence, or other traumatic experiences, aiding them in coping with their situations and fostering a safe learning environment. 

UNICEF has also introduced innovative methods, such as integrating technology into education, to improve learning opportunities for thousands of students through the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP). According to her, 182,170 children, teachers, and parents have registered for the program and are reaping its benefits. 

She explained that the digital learning platform has granted free access to 15,000 curriculum-aligned resources.