By Samuel Adeola
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has sounded the alarm over the growing number of out-of-school children in Kano State, revealing that an estimated 989,234 children are currently denied access to education.
UNICEF is urging the Kano State Government to urgently implement the Child Protection Law passed in 2023. According to Samuel Kaalu, UNICEF’s Communication Specialist in Kano, the law is designed to shield children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation while guaranteeing their right to education, healthcare, and protection from harmful practices.
Kaalu identified the Almajiri system as a persistent barrier to formal education and health access, stating that it continues to keep thousands of children on the streets and out of school.
He also highlighted rising cases of malnutrition, with many children in Kano suffering from hunger and deteriorating health.
“Without education, children are more exposed to abuse and exploitation,” Kaalu said, adding that the situation demands urgent action.
UNICEF also revealed that more than 300,000 children in Kano are yet to receive immunisation against life-threatening childhood diseases.
This figure represents over half of the 600,000 unvaccinated children across Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States.
Calling for decisive action, UNICEF urged the Kano State Government to shift from rhetoric to real implementation, insisting that children deserve full protection under the law enacted for their wellbeing.
