Daily Hope24 News Desk
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that youth are key drivers of sustainable education reform in the North East, which has suffered over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency.
UNICEF’s Acting Education Manager in Maiduguri, Caroline Mwai, stated this on Tuesday during activities marking the International Day of Education, celebrated this year under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education.
According to her, millions of Nigerian children and youths remain out of school due to poverty, ignorance, and limited access to learning.
“Young people are not just beneficiaries; they are key drivers who can provide ideas, participate in decision-making, and help improve education,” Mwai said.
She highlighted the challenges facing education in Borno and other conflict-affected states, noting that many families cannot afford schooling, while some parents do not fully appreciate the importance of education or the need for equal access for boys and girls.
She said the event provided an opportunity to reflect on education’s role in promoting peace and development, while recognising young people as active participants in shaping learning systems.
Mwai clarified that UNICEF, working with the Ministry of Education, government agencies, civil society organisations, and event partners, is supporting programmes that offer alternative learning opportunities for out-of-school children.
“These programmes focus on building literacy and numeracy skills, enabling children to continue their education and progress to higher levels,” she said.
She added that education must also equip youths with practical skills to prepare them for employment and self-reliance. UNICEF continues to collaborate with partners to ensure that children in hard-to-reach communities gain access to learning and that no child is left behind.
Mwai also pointed out that inadequate school facilities and the difficulty of reaching remote communities have left many children without access to learning.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD), the Borno State Government, and other partners.
