UNICEF equips 100,000 youths with digital, vocational skills in Borno
UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi. Credit. Isah Ojo
The United Nations Children’s Fund has said it empowered about 100,000 young people with digital and vocational skills across Borno State in 2025.
The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi, disclosed this on Tuesday at 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 across the state.
Represented by the organisation’s Resilience Manager, Atthawoot Sangkharat, he said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of supporting young people to transition from learning to earning.
“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 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 turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods and assists in 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.
Butichi further stated that beyond formal learning, 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.
He added that youth leadership in education is also being promoted through initiatives such as 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 underscores 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.
“Together, let us harness the power of youth to co-create education systems that are inclusive, innovative, sustainable and leave no one behind.”
