Antonia Greg
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that more than 10.2 million
children in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States are out of school, representing
16% of the total child population in these states.
Speaking at a media briefing to mark the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025 in Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihod Mohammed Farah, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, called on
state governments to intensify efforts to ensure access to education. He
emphasized that tackling the crisis is critical for reducing insecurity and
preventing child exploitation.
Citing data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, Farah highlighted that
nearly one million children in Kano State alone are not enrolled in school,
with 32% of primary school-aged children in the state remaining out of the
education system.
UNICEF has implemented various initiatives to address these challenges, including cash
transfer programs to assist families, enrollment campaigns, and integrating
Qur’anic schools into formal education. “We have also supported the construction of climate-resilient schools and community infrastructure to
create better learning environments,” Farah noted.
The organization has distributed over 630,000 teaching and learning materials for early
childhood and primary education in Kano and provided professional development
for 1,109 teachers to enhance their instructional skills. Additionally, UNICEF
has introduced climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in 25 schools, ensuring a healthier learning environment for
children.
UNICEF urged stakeholders to collaborate in reversing the trend and ensuring every child in
the region has access to quality education.
