EU, UNICEF Reaffirm Commitment to Education Development in Kano

The European Union (EU), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting education development in Kano State and across Northern Nigeria, with a focus on reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving learning outcomes.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, stated this during a visit to education projects in Kano aimed at assessing ongoing interventions funded through the partnership. He said the projects were designed to expand access to education and strengthen the quality of learning for children.

Mignot described education as one of the EU’s highest priorities in Nigeria, noting that it plays a critical role in promoting development and creating opportunities for children and young people. He said the delegation visited an integrated Qur’anic school supported by UNICEF, where pupils combine religious studies with literacy, mathematics and language learning.

According to him, Europe’s partnership with Nigeria is built on longstanding social, historical and cultural ties, adding that investment in education benefits both regions. He stressed that while increasing school enrolment remains important, attention must also be given to maintaining high educational standards, commending teachers and pupils at the school for their commitment to learning.

The ambassador further highlighted EU support for Technical and Vocational Training (TVT) programmes aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and enhancing their employment prospects. He said education and vocational training were essential tools for fostering sustainable development and economic growth.

Also speaking, the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said the broader education intervention supported by the EU was expected to reach about 1.2 million children across several states.

She explained that the initiative was designed to complement government investment in education by promoting models that could be replicated and sustained with public resources.

Teachers at the school visited informed the delegation that about 350 pupils were currently enrolled under the integrated learning programme.