UNICEF Reports 16% of Nigeria’s Out-of-School Children in Three States

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that approximately 300,000 children are currently out of school in Katsina State, highlighting a significant educational crisis. This revelation was made by Rahama Farah, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, during the launch of the Nigerian Child 2025 Report on October 5, 2023, coinciding with World Children’s Day. The event gathered journalists from Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa States, aiming to raise awareness about children’s issues in the region.

According to the report, the three states—Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa—together account for 16 percent of Nigeria’s staggering 10.2 million out-of-school children. While Katsina has 300,000 children not attending school, Kano has a significantly higher figure of nearly 900,000, and Jigawa reports over 330,000 children out of school.

Health and Nutrition Challenges Persist

Farah also referenced findings from the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2024, indicating high rates of stunted growth among children in these states. Specifically, 64.6 percent of children in Katsina are affected, compared to 51.9 percent in Kano and 55.7 percent in Jigawa. These alarming statistics underscore the barriers to health and nutrition faced by children in rural areas across these states.

Despite these challenges, Farah noted that UNICEF’s collaboration with the state governments has fostered progress. “Children in these communities are overcoming health and nutrition challenges with our support,” he stated. He emphasized that the UNICEF Kano Field Office has been actively working alongside the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa to address the developmental issues affecting children.

Investment in Child Nutrition

The collaboration has led to increased investments in tackling severe acute malnutrition. The Katsina State Government has allocated over N1 billion (approximately $2.6 million) for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) under the Child Nutrition Match Fund (CNF). Similarly, both the Jigawa and Kano State governments have contributed N1 billion each for RUTF procurement, aimed at addressing the critical levels of malnutrition in their respective regions.

UNICEF’s ongoing efforts in these three states are crucial as they aim to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve overall child health. The organization remains committed to working closely with local governments and communities to ensure that children receive the education and nutrition they need to thrive.