The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the growing number of out-of-school children in Kano State, describing the situation as alarming. According to the agency, approximately 989,234 children in the state are currently not accessing any form of education.
Speaking at a recent media briefing, Samuel Kaalu, Communication Specialist at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, called on the Kano State Government to urgently implement the Child Protection Law enacted in 2023. He said the law was designed to safeguard children’s rights by addressing issues such as abuse, neglect, and exploitation, while promoting access to education, healthcare, and protection from harmful practices.
“Kano faces challenges with millions of children out of school,” Kaalu stated. “The Almajiri system, which is prevalent in the state, often leaves children without access to proper education and healthcare.”
He further noted that malnutrition remains a critical issue in the region, with many children suffering from hunger and related health complications.
In addition to education, UNICEF also flagged immunisation gaps as a major concern. Kaalu revealed that over 300,000 children in Kano State are yet to be immunised against childhood killer diseases, accounting for 55 percent of the 600,000 unvaccinated children across Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.
UNICEF stressed that without urgent action, many of these children remain vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Kaalu urged the state government to go beyond rhetoric and commit to the full enforcement of the Child Protection Law.
“The children of Kano deserve more than words – they deserve the full implementation of the law that was written in their name,” he said.
