Youth Power Reshaping Nigeria’s Classrooms — UNICEF

Youth Power Reshaping Nigeria’s Classrooms — UNICEF

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified young people as the driving force behind innovation, technology and leadership in Nigeria’s education system, noting that they are increasingly shaping how learning happens in schools and communities, particularly in the Northeast.

UNICEF declared this on Tuesday in Maiduguri, Borno State, during activities to mark the 2026 International Day of Education. UNICEF’s Resilience Manager, Atthawoot Sangkharat, represented the agency’s Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi, in delivering the message.

Speaking at the event, Mr Sangkharat said the day was not only a celebration of education, but a recognition of the growing role of young people in defining the future of learning in Nigeria.

“Today is not just about education,” he said. “It is about young people shaping the future of education and the learning process.”

He explained that education becomes more effective when youths are not treated solely as recipients of knowledge but as active partners, innovators and leaders within the system. According to him, this approach reflects the theme of this year’s International Day of Education, ‘The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education’.

A UNICEF official said the theme underscores a simple reality: learning works best when young people are meaningfully involved in designing solutions, driving ideas and leading change across schools and communities.

Mr Sangkharat noted that this vision is already translating into tangible outcomes through Generation Unlimited Nigeria, also known as GenU 9JA, a national youth empowerment platform led by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Government.

He disclosed that since its launch in 2021, GenU 9JA has reached more than 11 million young Nigerians nationwide, providing them with diverse skills aimed at empowerment and education continuity.

According to him, the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting young people as they transition from learning to earning and from ideas to real impact.

Beyond conventional learning, he said UNICEF is also equipping youth with digital and foundational skills through platforms such as the Nigeria Learning Passport, as well as programs focused on literacy and numeracy for work and self-reliance.

Mr. Sangkharat also highlighted UNICEF’s collaboration with the Borno State Government and the University of Maiduguri, where young people and students are actively involved as educators in non-formal learning centres.

Through this partnership, he said, thousands of out-of-school children are being supported to return to learning, while the young educators gain practical experience, confidence and relevant skills aligned with the Generation Unlimited agenda.

He stressed that empowering youths as co-creators of education is restoring learning opportunities in conflict-affected communities and building a new generation of leaders capable of transforming Nigeria’s education landscapehttp://ournigerianews.com