The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged governments across Nigeria to prioritise education as a lasting solution to insecurity, poverty and ignorance, arguing that increased investment in learning would produce better results than relying mainly on military action.
The Punch reported that Kukah said many of the country’s security problems were rooted in years of neglect of the education sector, noting that ignorance had become a major factor fuelling violence and instability.
He also appealed to parents, religious leaders and community stakeholders to ensure that every child, especially those affected by conflict and poverty, has access to quality education.
The bishop made the remarks during the launch of a new education intervention by the Jesuit Refugee Service Nigeria in Sokoto State.
The initiative, titled “Enhancing Access to Safe, Inclusive and Integrated Quality Education Services for Crisis-Affected Children in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria,” is designed to improve access to education for vulnerable children in communities affected by insecurity while strengthening teachers’ capacity and supporting schools.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of JRS Nigeria, Mr Temple Anuforo, said the organisation had reached more than 65,000 people through its programmes in Kware, Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas, with women making up about 60 per cent of the beneficiaries.
He added that 483 teachers had been trained to improve the standard of education in conflict-affected communities and praised residents of the three local government areas for supporting the initiative despite persistent security challenges.
Anuforo said the project demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that children displaced or affected by conflict are not deprived of education, describing learning as an essential tool for restoring hope and rebuilding communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Kukah maintained that both Islam and Christianity promote the pursuit of knowledge, making education a collective responsibility.
He appealed to development partners, governments and local communities to support efforts aimed at expanding educational opportunities, saying every child deserves the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential regardless of background or circumstance.
The cleric added that investing in education would not only reduce the number of out-of-school children but also promote lasting peace, social cohesion and sustainable development across northern Nigeria.
