Thousands of conflict-affected children in Sokoto State are set to return to classrooms as the European Union and UNICEF roll out a €1 million education intervention targeting vulnerable communities.
The two-year programme, funded by the EU’s humanitarian arm (ECHO), aims to support over 20,000 children aged 5 to 17 living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and host communities, where insecurity has severely disrupted access to education.
UNICEF said the initiative will not only expand access to quality learning but also strengthen the resilience of the state’s education system against future crises.
A major focus of the intervention is community-driven enrolment campaigns to identify out-of-school children and bring them back into the education system. Children who have missed years of schooling will benefit from accelerated learning programmes designed to help them catch up with their peers.
For those already enrolled, targeted remediation support will be provided to improve literacy and numeracy skills, particularly for pupils affected by trauma and displacement.
The programme also prioritises safety and wellbeing, with measures to promote secure learning environments and protect children from violence, abuse, and exploitation. Schools in the target areas will benefit from improved water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, alongside the establishment of WASH and environment clubs to encourage healthy practices.
Teachers will receive specialised training in crisis-sensitive pedagogy, enabling them to address the psychosocial needs of learners and provide effective support to children dealing with trauma.
Mental health and psychosocial services form a key part of the intervention, including the creation of child-friendly spaces where children can learn, interact, and recover in a supportive setting.
“No child should have their future determined by conflict. When learning stops, the consequences can last a lifetime,” said Alexandre Castellano, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office in Nigeria.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, described the programme as timely, noting that it will help ensure continuity of education despite ongoing security challenges.
Over the next 24 months, the initiative will also strengthen coordination of Education in Emergencies at both state and local government levels, improving preparedness and response to disruptions.
The partnership underscores a shared commitment by the EU and UNICEF to ensure that every child—regardless of circumstance—has access to education, protection, and the opportunity to build a better future.