UNICEF Reports 300,000 Children Out of School in Nigeria’s North

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that approximately 300,000 children are currently out of school in Katsina State, contributing to a significant portion of Nigeria’s educational crisis. During the unveiling of the Nigerian Child 2025 Report on World Children’s Day, Rahama Farah, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, highlighted that the three states of Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa account for 16 percent of Nigeria’s estimated 10.2 million out-of-school children.

The event, organized by the Kano State Radio Corporation in collaboration with UNICEF, brought together journalists from Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa. Farah provided detailed figures, stating that Kano State alone has 900,000 children out of school, while Jigawa State sees over 330,000 children not attending classes.

Focus on Malnutrition and Health Challenges

In addition to educational issues, Farah emphasized serious health concerns in the region, citing the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2024. The data revealed alarming rates of stunted growth among children: Katsina at 64.6 percent, Kano at 51.9 percent, and Jigawa at 55.7 percent. He noted that children in rural areas face multiple barriers to health and nutrition.

Despite these challenges, Farah expressed optimism, stating that with UNICEF’s support, communities are beginning to overcome these issues. He highlighted ongoing collaboration between UNICEF and the governments of the three states, aimed at addressing the developmental obstacles affecting children as outlined in the Nigerian Child 2025 report.

Government Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition

Farah also praised the efforts of the Katsina State Government, which has allocated over N1 billion for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) through the Child Nutrition Match Fund (CNF). This funding is intended to combat severe acute malnutrition among children in the state.

Furthermore, both Jigawa and Kano state governments have matched this commitment, contributing N1 billion each for the same purpose. These investments signify a crucial step in addressing the pressing issue of malnutrition in the region and improving overall child health.

The UNICEF report and the collaborative initiatives underscore the need for urgent action to tackle the dual crises of education and malnutrition affecting children in northern Nigeria.