UNICEF links Nigeria's poverty reduction to quality education for all

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has issued a stark warning to Nigerian leaders: poverty can only be effectively tackled by ensuring quality education for every citizen. Speaking in Yola, the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Nazhat Rafique, highlighted that educating women is a powerful catalyst for societal advancement, famously stating, “Give me good mothers, and I will give you a good nation.”

Rafique specifically called out the need to address gender discrimination within the education sector, noting that harmful cultural norms and traditions continue to impede the education of girls. This aligns with the global goals of the Education Cannot Wait initiative, which strives to guarantee every child’s right to education, irrespective of their background or circumstances.

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Give me good mothers, and I will give you a good nation.

A collaborative project between UNICEF, the Adamawa State Government, and Education Cannot Wait is set to bolster educational access for underprivileged communities. UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr. Abdulrahman Ardo, detailed that this 16-month initiative, running from September 2024 to December 2027, will focus on enhancing learning outcomes for the most vulnerable children in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. The project aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children and promote inclusive, equitable access to quality education. Furthermore, it includes training for 100 school teachers in climate change, disaster management, and risk control, and is expected to reach over 253,000 students.

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It will reduce the number of out-of-school children in Adamawa State and promote inclusive and equitable access to quality education for all children.