In a bid to address the critical issue of out-of-school children, particularly in the North West region of Nigeria, the European Union (EU) has pledged an additional €5.4 million to bolster the capacity of teachers. This commitment aligns with the EU’s dedication to improving access to quality education and empowering youths in the region.
The North West region is grappling with a staggering 8.33 million out-of-school children, according to the 2022 Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI).
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, unveiled this development during the official launch of the €40 million intervention program on education and youth empowerment in the North West through the Global Gateway initiative, held in Abuja.
Commissioner Urpilainen emphasized the need for teachers to possess upgraded skills and knowledge to nurture students who can contribute to solving Nigeria’s challenges and those faced by the continent at large. She stated, “There is no education without teachers and that’s why we also have to invest in teacher training.”
“Actually, this component is complemented by a €5.4 million separate programme that we signed today, which is dedicated to teachers aiming to build their resilience and capacity in challenging environments. We have to remember that there is no education without teachers and that’s why we also have to invest in teacher training.
She further detailed the objectives of the program, emphasizing the importance of empowering youths through vocational education and promoting behavioral change campaigns to challenge harmful social norms, particularly those impacting girls.
Urpilainen highlighted that the program aims to equip Nigerian youths with essential skills for success in the labor market. She underscored the collaborative nature of the program, designed in consultation with Nigerian authorities to ensure it addresses local needs effectively.
“This ambitious programme launched today has been designed with Nigerian authorities to ensure the ownership and an adequate response to the local needs. The EU is not only targeting the youth through this specific programme, but it is also bringing the youth to the driving seat and this is why as the EU, we set up the Youth Sounding Board, also here in Nigeria, as well as in many countries, to make sure that what we do is for the youth but also by the youth.
“We have to include young people in the decision making; we have to create spaces and structures where young people feel that they are visible and they watch this and this is precisely what the European Union is doing,” she said.
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, speaking on behalf of the North West zone governors, expressed gratitude to the EU for its support in tackling the issue of out-of-school children. He affirmed the commitment of the governors to prioritize education in their respective states and emphasized that support from the EU would significantly contribute to revitalizing education in the region.
In his remarks, Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, stressed the critical role of education in shaping the future of the country. He cautioned against neglecting education, highlighting the potential consequences on welfare and security. Minister Mamman urged state governors to give prominence to education and youth empowerment, emphasizing the government’s readiness to allocate a substantial portion of the budget to education.
The EU’s investment in access, skills, and quality education, coupled with youth empowerment in Northwestern Nigeria, is seen as a comprehensive initiative that addresses various aspects critical to transforming the region.
The program’s primary goal is to ensure access to quality education for out-of-school children, with a specific focus on the inclusion and retention of girls in schools.
