The European Union has launched an educational support project called ‘Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth’ in North-West Nigeria.

The three-year programme will be implemented in partnership with Save the Children International, PLAN International, and DAG in Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto.

Tobi Ransomed, the consortium team lead, said on Wednesday at a one-day project kick-off workshop in Dutse that the programme aims to reach approximately 400,000 out-of-school children and nomadic populations.

Ms Ransomed added that women, girls, youth, and other vulnerable groups are also targeted to improve their access to quality, inclusive, gender- and conflict-sensitive education.

She explained that the programme will begin by identifying learning facilitators and centres through the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Nomadic Education Commission.

According to her, the overall objective is to bring out-of-school children back into the educational system.

“Part of our activities will involve training master trainers and learning facilitators in the accelerated basic education programme across identified local government areas,” Ms Ransomed added.

Governor Umar Namadi noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s goal of reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Mr Namadi pledged the government’s support for the initiative to reduce the number of out-of-school children significantly.

Meanwhile, the state team lead for Jigawa, Stephen Sawa from Save the Children, expressed optimism about the programme’s impact, stating, “Jigawa provides a donor-friendly environment in Nigeria to work in.”

Mr Sawa noted that the out-of-school children crisis is a global issue, with Nigeria at the forefront, accounting for 10 per cent of the world’s data according to UNESCO.

“The number of out-of-school children in Jigawa alone is over 700,000, this figure is alarming, and organisations like Save the Children are stepping in to ensure these children have opportunities for a better life.

“If we fail to create opportunities for these children, it will harm the nation’s development. Over the years, this challenge has been a setback, and efforts are now being made to change that,” Mr Sawa said.

According to him, the programme will provide children with literacy, basic numeracy skills, and knowledge of their country’s history.