UNICEF warns many North-East youths still out of school

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says many children and young people in the North-East are still out of school and under-skilled and has called for more investment in youth education.

UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Mr Francis Butichi, said this in Maiduguri on Tuesday at an event organised to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Education.

Butichi, who was represented by UNICEF Resilience Manager, Atthawoot Sangkharat, said a huge gap still exists, even though over 255,000 young people have gained access to digital learning and more than 400,000 youths have been connected to skills, livelihoods, and empowerment.

“Too many young people are still out of school, under-skilled, or excluded from learning opportunities,” he declared.

He said the theme of this year’s commemoration, “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education”, reflects a simple truth. He noted that education works best when young people are not just learners but partners, innovators and leaders in the learning process.

He maintained that this is UNICEF’s position, which is driving real change across parts of the country, especially through Generation Unlimited Nigeria – GenU 9JA, a national youth empowerment platform led by the global body.

Deputy Director, Youths Empowerment, in the Borno State Ministry of Youths and Sports, Hajiya Adama Alkali, said young people bring a lot of energy, creativity and innovation into any meaningful engagement, stressing that more investment in their education is good for society.

A digital quiz competition in English Language and Mathematics was held for public schools at the event. The commemoration also featured a panel discussion, as panellists, including children, called for recognition of their voices.

“Children should not be seen as leaders of tomorrow but partners for today. We want to be part of decisions on issues affecting us because no one can understand the pain of children more than the children themselves,” said Ibrahim Sunoma, Deputy Speaker of the National Children Parliament.