As Nigeria commemorates the 10th anniversary of the mass abductions in Chibok, a new report by UNICEF has revealed that just 37 percent of schools across 10 states in Nigeria have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, “The kidnapping of the Chibok girls was a wake-up call to the severe risks our children face in their pursuit of education. Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s futures must be amplified.”
The report also highlighted the devastating impact of violence on schools, with over 1,680 children abducted, 180 children killed, and more than 70 attacks on schools in the past 10 years. This has led to over one million children being afraid to return to school in 2021, and approximately 11,500 schools being closed due to attacks in 2020.
The threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning. As of 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school, and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks, according to Policy Weekly by Nextier.
Munduate stressed the need for immediate action, saying, “As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose right to education has been compromised, let this sombre anniversary serve as a catalyst for change. To ensure that schools are safe havens, strong political will and proper implementation of safe school standards are essential.”
The report comes at a time when violence affecting schools is on the rise, with brazen abductions of students becoming more frequent. Conflict-related violence has led to more than 1,680 children abducted while at school and elsewhere, 180 children killed due to attacks on schools, and an estimated 60 school staff kidnapped and 14 killed in the last 10 years, according to verified reports by the United Nations.
UNICEF’s call for intensified efforts to protect Nigerian children and ensure the safety of schools underscores the urgent need for action to address the root causes of this crisis and to make education a fundamental right for all children in Nigeria.
