The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commissioned three blocks of six fully furnished classrooms at Central Pilot Primary School in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State as part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria.

According to a statement published on the NAF’s verified social media platforms, the project was executed under the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke’s Special Intervention Projects initiative and coordinated by retired Air Vice Marshal NK Kumzhi. The intervention also included the provision of desks and chairs to create a more conducive learning environment for pupils.

The Air Force said the initiative is aimed at expanding access to education in Plateau State while contributing to the development of the human capital needed to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria has no fewer than 10.5 million out-of-school children between the ages of five and 14, making it one of the country’s most pressing education challenges.

Data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) shows the crisis is most severe in northern Nigeria. The North-West has the highest number of out-of-school children aged six to 11, with 3,490,670, followed by the North-East with 2,001,038. The North-Central has about 1.1 million, while the South-South, South-West and South-East account for approximately 670,000, 580,000 and 350,000 respectively.

The figures indicate that the North-West and North-East together account for about 66 per cent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.

UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) also shows that 18 per cent of primary school-age children in Plateau State are out of school, while Zamfara State records the highest rate in northern Nigeria at 61 per cent, highlighting significant disparities in school enrolment across the region.

Representing the Chief of the Air Staff at the commissioning, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said the project reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to promoting education, community development and national security through strong civil-military relations.

He added that lasting security can only be achieved through collaboration between security agencies and local communities, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security authorities.

Retired Air Vice Marshal NK Kumzhi described the project as a way of giving back to the school that laid the foundation for his academic journey, noting that investing in education remains one of the most meaningful contributions to society and future generations.

The Plateau State Government, represented by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Sunday Samuel Amuna, commended the Nigerian Air Force for the intervention, stating that the new classrooms would improve access to quality education and enhance learning outcomes for pupils in the community.

The Nigerian Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to implementing similar community-focused projects across the country to support education, promote sustainable development and strengthen its relationship with host communities.