UNICEF and the European Union have launched an accelerated basic education programme in Jigawa State aimed at reintegrating over 135,000 out-of-school children and adolescents aged 10 to 18, addressing systemic barriers to education in northern Nigeria. The initiative, officially flagged off in Dutse, Jigawa, targets 135 learning centres across 10 local government areas (LGAs), forming a core component of the EU-funded Education and Youth Empowerment Programme in Northern Nigeria (EYEPINN).
The programme addresses two critical challenges: 'learning denied,' affecting children who have never attended school, and 'learning delayed,' targeting overaged students who dropped out or enrolled late. UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Field Operations and Emergency, Judith Leveillee, emphasized that education is a fundamental right, stating the initiative aims to strengthen the education system while equipping learners with literacy, numeracy, and life skills for long-term success.
Launched in partnership with the Jigawa State Ministry of Education, ABEP compresses standard curricula into accelerated pathways to help students catch up. Leveillee highlighted the programme’s focus on teacher capacity-building, flexible learning environments, and systemic reforms to ensure sustainable educational access. 'Through ABEP, we are not just providing education; we are rebuilding a foundation for future opportunities,' she said during the flag-off ceremony.
Jigawa State Commissioner of Education Lawan Yunusa praised the collaboration, crediting the EU’s financial support and UNICEF’s technical expertise for driving progress. He noted the programme’s alignment with state efforts to reduce educational disparities, particularly in rural areas where 42% of children aged 5-14 are out of school, according to 2022 National Bureau of Statistics data.
The initiative prioritizes marginalized groups, including girls and children from conflict-affected communities, through safe, inclusive learning spaces. UNICEF also plans to expand digital literacy components, addressing gaps exacerbated by the 2020-2021 school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stakeholders at the event, including community leaders and local government officials, pledged support for the programme’s implementation. A 2023 UNICEF report revealed that 2.1 million children in northern Nigeria remain out of school, with Jigawa accounting for 18% of the regional total. The ABEP aims to reduce this figure by 30% within three years.
The programme’s launch follows years of advocacy by civil society groups, who have criticized inconsistent government funding for education. Activists welcomed the initiative but urged sustained investment to prevent reversals in progress. 'This is a critical step, but we need long-term commitments to ensure no child is left behind,' said Amina Mohammed, a Jigawa-based education rights advocate.
Public health experts also noted the programme’s potential to mitigate risks linked to prolonged educational gaps, such as increased vulnerability to child labor and early marriage. A 2022 study by the African Development Bank found that each additional year of education reduces a child’s risk of poverty by 15%.
With implementation set to begin in July 2024, the ABEP represents a collaborative effort to address entrenched educational inequities. Its success will depend on continued partnerships between international organizations, local governments, and communities to create a resilient, inclusive education system.
The initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for equitable quality education by 2030. As Jigawa becomes a pilot for scalable solutions, the programme’s outcomes could inform broader strategies to tackle educational disparities across Nigeria’s northern states.
UNICEF and the EU have committed to monitoring progress through quarterly reports, with plans to expand the model to Kano and Sokoto states by 2025. The Jigawa State government has allocated N1.2 billion for infrastructure upgrades, including classroom construction and teacher training, as part of its 2024 budget.