UNICEF, EU Launch €1m Education Support For Displaced Sokoto Children

The UNICEF and the European Union have launched a €1 million intervention aimed at restoring access to education for thousands of conflict-affected children in Sokoto State, in a renewed effort to address disruptions caused by insecurity and displacement.

The programme, funded through the European Union’s humanitarian arm, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), is expected to reach more than 20,000 children aged between five and 17 living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and host communities across the state.

The 24-month initiative will focus on reintegrating out-of-school children into classrooms, providing remedial learning support for enrolled pupils, improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, and delivering psychosocial support for children affected by violence and displacement.

Speaking on the intervention, Head of ECHO in Nigeria, Alexandre Castellano, said the initiative is critical to safeguarding the future of children impacted by conflict.

“No child should have their future determined by conflict. When learning stops, the consequences can last a lifetime. Through this partnership, the European Union and UNICEF will help communities protect their children, enable them to learn in safe spaces, and reclaim their right to education,” he said.

Also speaking, Wafaa Saeed, noted that the programme comes at a crucial time as insecurity continues to threaten access to education in the state.

“As insecurity threatens learning opportunities for thousands of children in Sokoto State, this initiative will ensure that affected children can continue their education and build the life skills they need for a brighter future,” she said.

Sokoto, like several states in Nigeria’s North-West, has faced persistent security challenges in recent years, including banditry, village attacks and kidnappings, which have forced many families to flee their homes and disrupted access to essential services such as education and healthcare.

The crisis has further compounded existing educational challenges in the region, where poverty, inadequate infrastructure and socio-cultural barriers have contributed to high numbers of out-of-school children.

Under the intervention, teachers will be trained in crisis-sensitive teaching methods to better support children dealing with trauma and mental health challenges. The programme will also establish child-friendly spaces to provide safe environments for learning, play and recovery.

In addition, community-led enrolment campaigns will be conducted to identify and return out-of-school children to school, while coordination on education in emergencies will be strengthened at both state and local government levels.

Development partners say the initiative is designed not only to return children to school but also to build resilience in communities frequently affected by displacement and insecurity, ensuring continuity of learning during future crises.