Save the Children International says at least 1,683 learners were kidnapped in Nigeria between 2014 and 2022, 184 were killed, and about 25 buildings were destroyed. The NGO disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

A UNICEF report also indicated that 10.5 million primary school-aged children (25.6 per cent) were not enrolled in school.

The NGO explained that, among the numbers released by UNICEF, girls accounted for about 60 per cent of out-of-school children in the country.

“This 2026 International Day of Education, Save the Children Nigeria is calling for stronger government investment in education, full implementation of the safe school declaration, and robust security measures to protect children and their learning environments.

“Without safe schools and an adequately funded education system, the potential of Nigeria’s young people, who make up over 60 per cent of the population, remains constrained,” said the statement.

As the global community marks the day, Save the Children Nigeria draws urgent attention to the scale of Nigeria’s education crisis and highlights the critical leadership role young people must play in redesigning education systems.

It stated that young people must be recognised not just as beneficiaries, but as active co-creators of education systems, policies, and innovations.

“Their leadership is essential at a time when the education sector is strained by insecurity, learning poverty, teacher shortages, low retention rates, and a rapidly widening digital divide.

“The above are challenges gripping Nigeria’s education system. Young people are not just leaders of tomorrow. They are strategic drivers of change today.

“We encourage young people to be active partners in shaping educational systems, policies, and innovations, rather than acting as passive recipients,” the NGO said.

Save the Children country director, Duncan Harvey, said, “We are committed to strengthening youth-led advocacy for Safe Schools implementation. And also promoting youth leadership in emergency education responses, and advancing skills development for adolescents affected by conflict and displacement.” 

(NAN)