The United Nations has reaffirmed its support for advancing girls’ education in Nigeria, pledging stronger collaboration with the Malala Fund to remove barriers that keep millions of children—especially girls—out of school.
At a high-level engagement in Abuja with Malala Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, stressed that no child should be left behind.
He led a delegation of top UN agencies, including UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women, and highlighted insecurity, poverty, climate change, and cultural norms as key obstacles to education.
Malala underscored Nigeria’s central role in the Fund’s 2025–2030 global strategy, noting that over $8 million has already been invested in local partner organisations.
She outlined priorities such as supporting married and pregnant girls to return to school, boosting education financing, and leveraging schooling as a tool to end child marriage.
Similarly, UNICEF has renewed its commitment to reducing the high number of out-of-school children in Sokoto State.
During a visit to SKS Model Primary School, Yabo, UNICEF Country Representative Wafa Said praised local efforts to boost enrolment but expressed concern over children still roaming the streets.
Traditional, religious, and community leaders pledged continued support, while UNICEF promised to strengthen teacher training and expand climate-friendly school initiatives.
Together, the UN, Malala Fund, and UNICEF are intensifying efforts to ensure every Nigerian child—especially girls—can access and complete quality education.