UNICEF Returns 12,000 Out-of-School Children To Classrooms In Adamawa

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that it has achieved significant success in improving literacy among children in Adamawa and Taraba states, Nigeria, in partnership with the state governments.

According to UNICEF Education Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Abdulrahaman Ado, a total of 27,300 children have been empowered with quality literacy and numeracy skills.

Ado who was speaking during its 2025 Review Meeting on Tuesday in Yola, added that it includes 20,300 children in Adamawa and 7,000 in Taraba, who benefited from the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) interventions.

He stated that it significantly enhanced early grade learning and transition to higher grades.

Additionally, UNICEF stated that it returned 12,000 out-of-school children to non-formal settings through the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) in Adamawa, exceeding the target of 7,500 and mainstreaming over 60 per cent into formal schools.

This effort, UNICEF noted promoted inclusion and reduced educational disparities among marginalized children living in rural communities.

“This promoted inclusion and reduced educational disparities among the marginalised children living in the rural communities,” he said.

Also speaking, Commissioner, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Adamawa, Dr. Garba Pella, expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s impact on children’s well-being in education and other sectors, stating that the interventions accelerated learning programs across the states.

“UNICEF intervention has accelerated learning programmes across the states.

“The review meetings are a way forward to close some of the gaps and address challenges recorded in the past year for more progress,” he said.

In his remark, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, emphasised the importance of the review meeting, which enabled UNICEF and partners to plan ahead for 2026, and commended the Adamawa and Taraba teams for their good work.