UNICEF: Most Primary School Leavers in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe Can’t Read
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised serious concerns about the state of education and child welfare in Nigeria’s northeastern states.
Speaking at a media briefing in Maiduguri to mark this year’s Children’s Day, the Officer-in-Charge of the UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, revealed that 72 percent of children who complete primary school in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa cannot read simple texts.
In addition, only 62 percent of these children go on to attend Junior Secondary School, highlighting a troubling gap in educational progression.
Senesie stressed that despite increased school enrollment, over two million children in the region remain out of school. He linked this crisis to broader systemic issues that continue to hinder the development and protection of children across the three states.
Among these challenges is the low rate of birth registration; only three in ten children are officially registered at birth, denying many access to essential services like healthcare, education, and legal protection.
The briefing also highlighted critical health concerns. Senesie noted that twelve local government areas in Borno and Yobe continue to report high numbers of unvaccinated children, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
However, he emphasized that progress is being made, thanks to ongoing efforts by UNICEF and its partners. In 2024 alone, UNICEF supported the treatment of nearly 600,000 children for severe acute malnutrition, provided vitamin A supplements to 2.48 million children under five, and vaccinated 1.2 million children with the pentavalent vaccine.
UNICEF also recognized key contributions from state governments in the Northeast. Senesie commended initiatives such as the implementation of the Child Protection Law, open defecation-free declarations in five LGAs, and Borno State’s N100 million contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund.
He also acknowledged the creation of 27 Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition in Borno as evidence of political commitment to improving children’s lives.
Senesie concluded by calling on all stakeholders to continue building on this momentum. He urged a united effort to eliminate barriers to education, nutrition, immunisation, birth registration, and child protection, echoing the theme of this year’s Children’s Day: “Tapping the Untapped Natural Treasure.”
He expressed gratitude to partners, including the governments of Germany, the UK, Norway, Canada, and other international agencies, for their continued support.
