The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi, has disclosed that the organisation equipped about 100,000 young people with digital and vocational skills across Borno State in 2025. He made this known on Tuesday during an event organised to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Education in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Butichi explained that the beneficiaries included graduates, undergraduates and other young people drawn from different communities across the state. He was represented at the event by UNICEF’s Resilience Manager, Atthawoot Sangkharat, who said the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of supporting young people to transition from learning to earning.
According to him, UNICEF has worked with academic institutions to expand access to learning opportunities while building practical experience for youths. “Through UNICEF’s partnership with the University of Maiduguri, young people, including undergraduate and graduate students, are working as educators in non-formal learning centres, helping thousands of out-of-school children return to learning,” he said.
“At the same time, these young educators are gaining real-world experience, skills and confidence, fully aligned with the Generation Unlimited agenda,” he added.
Butichi also noted that vocational skills development remains a major focus of UNICEF’s support in the state. He said that through vocational programmes, UNICEF, in partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Education, supported over 4,600 youths with starter packs across Bama, Dikwa, Monguno and Maiduguri.
According to him, the support enables beneficiaries to convert their skills into sustainable livelihoods and also helps them support the education of their children or siblings. “Overall, approximately 100,000 young people were equipped with diverse skills in 2025 across Borno State,” he said.
He further stated that beyond formal learning spaces, UNICEF is supporting youths to acquire digital skills through platforms and programmes such as the Nigeria Passport Learning Initiative, Foundation Literacy and Numeracy Skills for Work and Self-Reliance.
Butichi added that youth leadership in education is being promoted through initiatives including technology-driven spelling bees and mathematics quizzes, where learners apply innovation, teamwork and technology to strengthen literacy and numeracy within communities.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education,” Butichi said it highlights the importance of involving young people in innovation and development. “The theme reflects a simple truth: education works best when young people are not just learners, but partners, innovators and leaders in the learning process,” he said.
He urged youths to take responsibility for shaping their future rather than waiting for change. “To the young people here today, you are not waiting for change, you are creating it. Your ideas, energy and leadership are essential to building education systems that truly work,” he said.
