From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has urged Jigawa state government to increase efforts and commitments towards addressing out of school children and malnutrition challenges in the state.
The call was made by RAHAMA RIHOOD MOHAMMED FARAH, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano while delivering his speech to celebrate World Children’s Day 2025.
He explained that, education gaps persist as millions of children in the North are out of school, and many who attend struggle to learn due to overcrowded classrooms, insecurity, and poverty.
“Across the states of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, these challenges are evident.Education in these states presents a deep and urgent concern. Katsina, Kano and Jigawa together account for 16% of Nigeria’s 10.2 million out of school children.
“Katsina alone has over 300,000 children out of school, Kano nearly 900,000; and Jigawa more than 330,000.According to NDHS 2024 Malnutrition is high, with more than half of children under five stunted: Katsina 64.6%; Kano 51.9%; Jigawa 55.7%” (according to NDHS 2024).
He maintained that, through the CRIBS project in Jigawa and Kano, water and sanitation facilities have been rehabilitated and improved in schools and health facilities. So, with the support of our donors, for which UNICEF is immensely grateful, UNICEF is supporting governments to address child well-being, and progress is being recorded.
“But the job is not done yet – more needs to be done.What every Child needs in Nigeria To truly transform the lives of children in Jigawa and across Nigeria, we must: Deliver vaccines and nutrition to every child, especially in hard-to-reach communities.Invest in inclusive, safe, and climate-resilient schools.Strengthen child protection systems and expand mental health support.
Mr Farah, added that the government must ensure clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in every school and health facility. Expand social protection to reach the most vulnerable families. Effectively address child poverty in the three statesAcross Nigeria, children dream of futures they may never experience unless the systems and services around them are transformed, and ensure every child in Nigeria can live, learn and grow with dignity and safety, UNICEF calls for collaborative action by Government, stakeholders, development partners, communities and CSOs to change the situation.
He then, reaffirm UNICEF’s commitment to working hand in hand with government, development partners, communities and civil society to ensure that every Nigerian child can survive, learn and thrive.
