The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Union (EU) have rolled out the second phase of their Education initiative, which focuses on improving Teacher capacity as well as examining, improving, and reinforcing educational policies in Nigeria. This phase, tagged “Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS),” tackles crucial concerns brought to light by the Education Sector Analysis of 2021, which found that at least 20 percent of Basic Education teachers in public schools and almost twice as many in private schools lack the necessary qualifications.
Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, Head of the UNESCO Office in Abuja states that the project is crucial in addressing the issue of qualified instructors abandoning the teaching profession for more profitable ones because of ambiguous recruiting and deployment procedures. The project is to increase government capacity to evaluate educational needs and create robust, proven policies for hiring, assigning, managing, and advancing the careers of teachers. Its targets include strengthening teacher capacities, resolving working conditions and teacher shortages, and enhancing teacher relationships with students and community members.
Government committed to raising the quality of education.
According to Ms. Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, this phase of the Education and Youth Empowerment program builds on the previous phase, which was inaugurated in 2023. The project partners with six training colleges to enhance teacher education programs in numerous states, including Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Katsina, Plateau, and Oyo. Inspiring and directing the next generation, improving education, and assisting students in succeeding in an evolving world all depend on investing in teachers, as Isopi emphasized. Mohammed Fall, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, applauded Nigeria’s continuous efforts in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet he bemoaned the large number of unqualified teachers.
He cited the UNESCO Global Report on Teachers 2023, which revealed a doubling in global teacher attrition rates between 2015 and 2022, highlighting the necessity of swift action to reverse the trend. Professor Mamman Tahir, the Minister of Education for Nigeria, who was represented by Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising the quality of education and augmenting the pool of competent, resilient educators. The Minister also acknowledged the financial and technical support provided by the European Union and UNESCO. He stated that by creating a strong and resilient educational system, the project is focused to improve academic outcomes and support national development.
EU-UN Spotlight Initiative reached 256,792 youth in 2022.
Several international organizations, particularly the UN and EU, have made important contributions to Nigeria’s education system over the years. A collaborative program between the EU and UNICEF was unveiled earlier in March 2024 with the goal of reaching approximately 1.5 million children in Kano, Sokoto and Jigawa state. The goal of this program, tagged “Education and Youth Empowerment in Northwestern Nigeria,” is to provide underprivileged and nomadic communities with greater access to inclusive, high-quality basic education. 30 percent of the current teachers in these states will be trained and retrained as part of this program, which has received €40 million funding from the EU.
Furthermore, the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative has been addressing gender-based violence and improving educational achievements on multiple fronts in the country. By providing knowledge on gender-based violence prevention and rights related to sexual and reproductive health, the campaign directly reached 256,792 youth in 2022. Additionally, it worked with more than 1,500 religious leaders to bolster community-based preventive initiatives. In another noteworthy endeavour, the European Union and United Nations ICEF (UNICEF) joined forces to enhance the educational opportunities for 20,000 children impacted by conflict in North-East part of the country.
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It was specifically designed to improve educational facilities and assist the education of girls in Borno State by building and refurbishing classrooms and toilets. This program is a part of a comprehensive €10 million package that aims to provide education and career training to benefit communities and children. By addressing both short term needs and long term challenges within the system, the UN and EU hope to promote a more inclusive and resilient learning environment in Nigeria. Also, UNESCO has been actively participating in a number of educational projects in Nigeria to support sustainable growth, increase literacy, and improve the country’s educational standards.