FIC Report (Sokoto State) – The Sokoto state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday conducted a two-day high-level advocacy and media dialogue aimed at strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)to promote quality education in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The initiative seeks to foster political will for increased public investment, innovative strategies and community support for ECCE in the three states.
In a goodwill message, chief of field office, UNICEF Sokoto, Dr Michael Juma, said that the media dialogue aims to raise public awareness, sustain policy dialogue and foster community engagement in ECCE, ultimately promoting early childhood education initiatives in the region. He stated that the workshop sought to ensure every child, regardless of background, has equitable access to quality ECCE, nothing that the initiative supports the Nigerian government’s goal of improving access to quality education for all children.
In his remarks, the permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Information, Alh Sanusi Binji, said that ECCE is crucial for lifelong learning and national development, adding that the Ministry is committed to supporting awareness campaigns on ECCE.
Also speaking, the state chairman of the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board, Alh Umar Nagwari Tambuwal, revealed that the state Government had outlined plans to address out-of-school children with focus on ECCE. He stated that 66.4 % of school-aged in Sokoto State are currently out of school and the state SUBEB with the support of UNICEF, has identified and documented 25% of these children for targeted intervention.
Tambuwal, emphasised that the state government plans to triple the number of ECCE centres in 2026 with an additional 80 centres to be sponsored UNICEF. He also mentioned the launch of a Digital Village Initiative to equip almajiri children and out-of-school girls with digital tools.
The event was organised by the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board with UNICEF and founded by the European Union under the theme: “Strengthening Early Childhood Education and Access to Quality” in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Signed
Ramatu Sani (Mrs),
Head of Centre,
FIC, Sokoto.
24th February, 2026.
