Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the rising number of out-of-school children as a national emergency

Gombe State Government has formalized a renewed partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, signed a comprehensive Framework of Action during a strategic engagement with the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, at the Government House, Gombe.

The Framework, jointly developed with UNICEF, outlines four key result areas: Strategic engagement and responsiveness of political actors; Strengthening best practices and identifying alternative solutions; Enhancing community accountability and mobilization; and Leveraging technology, innovation, and ICT to expand access to quality learning for children currently out of school.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the rising number of out-of-school children as a national emergency, particularly in the North-East, where insecurity and displacements have disrupted educational systems.

“Gombe State has become home to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from neighbouring states. While we welcome and integrate them, this has further strained our educational resources,” the Governor said.

“Our target is clear: to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Gombe by at least half before 2030. We are fully committed to this goal and will continue to meet all counterpart funding obligations and work closely with UNICEF and other partners.”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also emphasized the state’s innovative approaches to nutrition, referencing the “Garin Inuwa” model, a locally developed food supplement used to combat malnutrition among children.

“We must take ownership of our solutions. 'Garin Inuwa' is one such example where local resources are harnessed to address critical health needs,” he noted.

In her remarks, Dr. Nuzhat commended Gombe State for its strong political will and measurable progress in areas of education, health, nutrition and child protection.

“Your Excellency, Gombe State continues to set the pace in Northern Nigeria. Your development trajectory is exemplary; from the passage of the Child Rights Act and Disability Law to your proactive response in education and health,” she said.

“UNICEF is proud to partner with Gombe, and we will continue to complement your efforts, including psychosocial support and expanding access to basic services.”

The UNICEF Chief also praised the Governor’s consistent payment of counterpart funding and called for an increase in child-focused investments to consolidate the gains made so far.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, Commissioners of Education, Health and Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Partners Coordination, among other senior government officials.

Ismaila Uba Misilli

Director-General (Press Affairs)

Government House, Gombe

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✒️ EDITOR'S NOTE – Stone Reporters' Perspective

Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration continues to receive deserved praise for its proactive education and child welfare strategies. The signing of a Framework of Action with UNICEF adds another layer of credibility to Gombe’s reputation as a reform-focused state in Northern Nigeria.

However, while such high-level partnerships and signed documents project progress, implementation remains the true test.

The education sector across the North-East continues to battle systemic issues: teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, fragile infrastructure, and inconsistent data on actual enrollment. For Gombe to truly halve its out-of-school population by 2030, as promised, it must go beyond frameworks and turn bold ambitions into measurable outcomes.

This means ensuring every kobo of counterpart funding translates into desks, textbooks, trained teachers, and secure learning environments — especially in rural and IDP-dense areas.

The challenge is no longer about commitment. It's about delivery.

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