Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Thousands of children displaced by conflict and insecurity in Sokoto State are set to regain access to education and protection services following the launch of a N1.8 billion intervention program jointly funded by the European Union and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The two-year initiative, supported through a €1 million grant from the European Union’s humanitarian agency, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), is expected to directly benefit more than 20,000 vulnerable children between the ages of five and 17 living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and host communities across the state.
According to a statement issued by UNICEF’s Communication and Advocacy Specialist, Susan Akila, the programme is aimed at restoring access to safe, inclusive and quality education for children whose schooling has been disrupted by conflict, displacement and insecurity.
The intervention is also designed to strengthen child protection systems and build the resilience of the education sector to withstand future emergencies and humanitarian crises.
UNICEF said the programme would focus on improving school enrolment, boosting learning outcomes, enhancing child wellbeing and protecting children from the risks associated with conflict and displacement.
As part of the initiative, out-of-school children will be enrolled in accelerated learning programmes to help them catch up academically, while those already in school will receive remedial education support to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
The project will also deploy community-based enrolment campaigns aimed at identifying children who have dropped out of school or never had the opportunity to enrol, with a view to reintegrating them into formal learning.
In a bid to create safer learning environments, the programme will promote child protection measures and safe-school practices to shield children from violence, abuse, exploitation and other threats common in conflict-affected settings.
Schools participating in the intervention will benefit from the rehabilitation of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, while environmental and hygiene clubs will be established to promote healthy habits and improve learning conditions.
A major component of the programme centres on teacher development, with educators receiving training in modern instructional techniques, including crisis-sensitive teaching approaches tailored to children experiencing trauma and psychological distress.
The initiative will equally provide mental health and psychosocial support services through the establishment of child-friendly spaces where affected children can learn, interact and recover in a secure environment.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, ECHO Head in Nigeria, Alexandre Castellano, stressed that conflict should never be allowed to rob children of their future.
“No child should have their future determined by conflict. When learning stops, the consequences can last a lifetime. Through this partnership, the European Union and UNICEF will help communities protect their children, enable them to learn in safe spaces, and reclaim their right to education,” Castellano said.
Also speaking, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, described the intervention as a timely response to the growing educational challenges confronting children in insecurity-affected communities.
“As insecurity threatens learning opportunities for thousands of children in Sokoto State, this initiative will ensure that affected children can continue their education and build the life skills they need for a brighter future,” she stated.
Beyond direct support to schools and learners, the programme is expected to strengthen coordination of Education in Emergencies responses at both state and local government levels, improve preparedness mechanisms and guarantee continuity of learning during future crises.
The intervention highlights the shared commitment of the European Union and UNICEF to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that access to education, safety and opportunity remains a fundamental right, regardless of conflict or displacement.
