UNICEF has launched a new phase of its education initiative, aiming to reintegrate over 500,000 out-of-school children in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northeast.
The programme, launched on April 30, 2025, in Maiduguri, Borno State, is part of the Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) Phase 2, supported by the global fund Education Cannot Wait (ECW).
The initiative targets children in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, areas heavily impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
It aims to offer formal and non-formal education opportunities, enhancing learning outcomes and fostering community engagement.
The programme aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2024–2027 roadmap in Nigeria, focusing on expanding access to quality education and addressing critical educational challenges.
In collaboration with state governments and consortium partners, UNICEF will implement this three-year project (2025–2027), building on the achievements of the first phase.
The initial phase (2022–2024) reached over 500,000 conflict-affected children across 29 local government areas in the BAY states, enhancing access to education and ensuring continuity of learning.
The programme also includes components to support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children affected by conflict, ensuring a holistic approach to education and recovery.
Addressing educational and psychological needs aims to foster resilience and long-term stability in the region.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to tackle the education crisis in Nigeria, where approximately 17.8 million children are out of school, including 8.9 million in crisis-affected areas.
Through sustained investment and collaboration, UNICEF and its partners aim to create a more inclusive and equitable education system for all children in Nigeria.
