EU unveils education project for 400,000 vulnerable children in Nigeria

The European Union has introduced an educational initiative called the ‘Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth’ to support vulnerable children in North-West Nigeria. This three-year project will be conducted in partnership with Save the Children International, PLAN International, and DAG in the states of Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto.

During the launch workshop in Dutse, consortium leader Tobi Ransomed stated that the program targets approximately 400,000 out-of-school children, including nomadic groups, to enhance their access to quality, inclusive education that considers gender and conflict dynamics. The project will collaborate with the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Nomadic Education Commission to identify learning facilitators and education centers, with the ultimate goal of reintegrating these children into the school system.

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Ransomed highlighted that the plan includes training master trainers and facilitators in the accelerated basic education curriculum across various local government areas. Governor Umar Namadi expressed that the initiative supports his administration’s efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and promised the government’s backing for the program.

Stephen Sawa, the state lead for Jigawa from Save the Children, shared his optimism, emphasizing that Jigawa’s environment is conducive to donor support. He pointed out that Nigeria accounts for 10% of the global data on out-of-school children, with over 700,000 such children in Jigawa alone, which he described as alarming. Sawa stressed the importance of providing educational opportunities to prevent long-term negative impacts on national development. He added that the program would equip children with literacy, basic numeracy, and a better understanding of their country’s history.