European Union and UNICEF have introduced a €1 million education programme aimed at returning more than 20,000 conflict-affected children to school in Sokoto State.

The initiative, supported through the EU’s humanitarian arm (ECHO), focuses on children aged 5 to 17 living in internally displaced persons camps and surrounding communities affected by insecurity.

UNICEF said the programme will improve access to education and life skills while strengthening the resilience of the state’s education system.

It includes community-driven enrolment efforts to identify out-of-school children and place them into accelerated learning programmes to help them catch up academically.

For children already in school, remedial support will be provided to improve literacy and numeracy, particularly for those affected by trauma and displacement.

The project also prioritises child safety, introducing measures to protect students from violence, abuse, and exploitation in learning environments.

School infrastructure will be improved through rehabilitation of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, alongside the creation of WASH clubs to promote healthier habits.

Teachers will receive training in crisis-sensitive teaching methods to better support children facing psychosocial challenges linked to conflict.

Mental health support and child-friendly spaces will also be established to help children learn and recover in safe environments.

EU and UNICEF officials said the partnership reflects a commitment to ensuring that conflict does not permanently disrupt children’s access to education, while strengthening long-term learning systems in the region.