Victoria Mgbanwa
In a strategic move to combat the growing number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, UNICEF has joined forces with local media practitioners to raise awareness and drive action on this critical issue.
The one-day event, held in Zaria, Kaduna State, brought together media leaders, government representatives, and UNICEF officials to explore collaborative efforts aimed at improving educational outcomes and child welfare in the region.
UNICEF’s Country Director, represented by the CAP Specialist for the Abuja office, Susan Akila, reiterated the essential role that the media plays in advancing the organization’s mission.
The child rights body said they are deeply concerned about the well-being and future of millions of children worldwide.
She said, “UNICEF believes that their objectives will not be achieved without the media. What we are doing now is not something new but rather to continue to solidify the already existing partnership.
At the heart of the discussions was the alarming statistics surrounding out-of-school children in the northern region, a challenge that significantly hinders Nigeria’s overall development.
UNICEF’s Social and Behavioural Change Specialist for Kaduna, Ibrahim Mohammed, emphasized that reducing the number of out-of-school children is integral to achieving sustainable development.
“The target and end result of this meeting is to ensure that every Nigerian kid is enrolled in school and retained. This is to ensure sustainable growth of the country,” he said.
The gathering focused on practical solutions to some of the systemic barriers contributing to the out-of-school crisis.
These included widespread poverty, cultural reluctance to send children to school, and inadequate infrastructure. Mohammed called for more investment in education, especially in rural and underserved communities. He also highlighted other areas of concern, such as the need for improved child nutrition, the fight against open defecation, and better immunization coverage.
The role of the media, according to participants, is crucial in raising public awareness, advocating for policy change, and holding authorities accountable.
Alhaji Hamisu Abubakar, Director of the National Orientation Agency in Kaduna, underscored the media’s potential to shape public perceptions and attitudes toward education.
He said, “In the area of funding gaps, UNICEF would continue to advocate for the betterment of children in these areas across Nigeria.”
The event also saw the formalization of a new partnership between UNICEF and the Kaduna State Media Corporation, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The partnership aims to strengthen media outreach and mobilize communities to prioritize education and child welfare. The MoU also serves as a commitment to work together towards reducing the number of out-of-school children, as well as addressing other challenges such as malnutrition and health care gaps.
As part of its ongoing commitment, UNICEF pledged to continue advocating for greater funding for education and health services in Nigeria, focusing particularly on marginalized areas. The event marked a renewed commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all by 2030.
