In a significant educational breakthrough for Northern Nigeria, the United Nations Children's Fund has successfully integrated approximately 15,000 previously out-of-school children into formal education systems across Katsina State over the past three decades.
Educational Transformation in Northern Nigeria
The revelation came from Mr. Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF's Field Office in Kano, during Thursday's zonal commemoration of World Children's Day in Kano State. The event, organized in partnership with the Kano State Radio Corporation, also featured the unveiling of the Nigerian Child 2025 Report.
Beyond the remarkable enrollment figures, UNICEF's educational intervention extended to integrating 112 Tsangaya (Islamic) schools into Western education systems throughout Katsina State. This dual approach has significantly expanded educational access while respecting cultural and religious traditions in the region.
Multi-Sectoral Achievements in Child Welfare
The collaboration between UNICEF and Katsina State Government has yielded impressive results across multiple sectors crucial to child development. Notably, the state has achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, becoming only the second state in Nigeria after Jigawa to reach this milestone.
In the critical area of nutrition, the partnership has triggered substantial government investment. The Katsina State Government has contributed over N1 billion for purchasing Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods through the Child Nutrition Match Fund, directly addressing severe acute malnutrition among children.
Under child protection initiatives, authorities are implementing an extensive birth registration program to ensure every child in Katsina receives a birth certificate. This provides legal identity in accordance with Article 7 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Regional Impact Across Northern States
The positive outcomes extend beyond Katsina, with Jigawa and Kano states recording significant improvements in child welfare. In Jigawa, the innovative Masaki Initiative has emerged as a model for combating malnutrition in children under five, attracting interest from other states seeking to replicate its success.
Immunization coverage has shown remarkable improvement in Jigawa over the past decade, while both Jigawa and Kano states have matched Katsina's commitment by contributing N1 billion each for RUTF procurement at local council levels.
Kano State has addressed immunization gaps through solar-powered Primary Health Care facilities, supported by Gavi and other partners. Through the CRIBS project, UNICEF facilitated the renovation of 27 PHC facilities in Kano and 12 in Jigawa, significantly enhancing maternal, newborn, and child health services.
Additional progress includes the inauguration of functional medical oxygen facilities in Kano, contributing directly to improved child survival rates.
Despite these achievements, Mr. Farah emphasized that urgent, sustained, and united action remains necessary to fully safeguard the future of Nigerian children. The collective efforts demonstrate that strategic partnerships between international organizations and state governments can produce transformative results in education, health, and child protection.
