The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm over the high number of out-of-school children in Kano State, putting the figure at 989,234. The agency has called on the state government to fully enforce the Child Protection Law, enacted in 2023, to safeguard children’s rights.
Samuel Kaalu, UNICEF’s Communication Specialist in Kano, stressed the need for urgent action. He said the law is designed to prevent child abuse, neglect, and exploitation while ensuring access to education, healthcare, and protection from harmful practices.
Key Challenges in Kano
Kaalu highlighted major issues affecting children in the state:
- Massive out-of-school crisis: Nearly a million children lack access to education.
- Almajiri system: Many children under this system miss proper schooling and healthcare.
- Malnutrition: A significant number of children suffer from hunger and related health problems.
Low Immunisation Rates
UNICEF also revealed that over 300,000 children in Kano have not been vaccinated against deadly childhood diseases. This makes up 55% of the 600,000 unimmunised children across Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.
Call for Immediate Action
Kaalu urged the Kano State government to fully implement the Child Protection Law, saying:
“The children of Kano deserve more than words—they deserve the full enforcement of the law made for their protection.”
UNICEF emphasized that education is critical in preventing child exploitation and abuse, calling for stronger measures to ensure children’s rights are upheld.
