UNICEF Demands Release of Kebbi Schoolgirls, Urges Full Implementation of Safe Schools Declaration in Nigeria
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is issuing an urgent call to action, pressing all levels of government and security stakeholders to intensify efforts to implement the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment Nigeria endorsed nearly a decade ago.
The appeal follows the tragic incident at a Government Girls School in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted and the Vice-Principal was killed. UNICEF, while condemning the attack and calling for the children’s release, pointed directly to the 2015 Declaration as the critical framework for preventing such tragedies.
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“Students, education facilities, and their personnel should be protected under international law from any form of attack,” UNICEF stated.
“In 2015, the Nigerian government endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete steps to safeguard the civilian nature of schools with this,UNICEF calls on all relevant stakeholders to continue efforts to implement the Safe Schools Declaration in Nigeria.”
The Declaration is not merely a symbolic document; it provides a concrete roadmap for protecting education in conflict. Key measures include:
· Restoring access to education after an attack.
· Preventing the military use of schools by armed forces or groups.
· Developing conflict-sensitive plans to keep schools open safely.
· Ensuring accountability for those who attack educational facilities.
Despite this framework, the persistent attacks on schools in northern Nigeria reveal a significant gap between policy and practice. UNICEF’s statement is a clear indication that current implementation efforts are falling short of what is needed to protect the country’s children.
The “relevant stakeholders” referenced by UNICEF include federal and state governments, security agencies, local communities, and international partners. The agency emphasizes that a unified, multi-layered approach is essential.
This involves state governments in high-risk areas prioritizing school security in their budgets, the military respecting the civilian nature of schools, and communities being empowered to report threats. As the security landscape evolves, so too must the strategies to protect education.
With each attack, the nation’s promise of safe education for every child is broken. UNICEF’s renewed push for the Safe Schools Declaration underscores that the tools to prevent these crises exist—what is needed now is the unwavering political will and coordinated action to use them effectively.