Learning is a potent tool in the fight against instability and financial hardship, according to Kukah

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, views education as a potent tool to combat insecurity, poverty, and ignorance, emphasizing the need for governments to allocate more resources to education rather than solely relying on military responses to address insecurity.

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Kukah attributes many of Nigeria's current security challenges to years of neglecting education, highlighting how ignorance has become a significant driver of violence and instability, and thus calls on parents, religious leaders, and community members to ensure all children have access to quality education, particularly those affected by conflict and poverty.

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The Bishop made these remarks at the launch of the Jesuit Refugee Service Nigeria's new education intervention programme, aimed at improving access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning for crisis-affected children in Sokoto State, titled “Enhancing Access to Safe, Inclusive and Integrated Quality Education Services for Crisis-Affected Children in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria.”

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This project seeks to expand educational opportunities for vulnerable children in communities affected by insecurity, while strengthening the capacity of teachers and schools, and is expected to have a positive impact on the region.

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According to the Country Director of JRS Nigeria, Mr. Temple Anuforo, the organisation has already made a significant impact, reaching over 65,000 people through its interventions in three local government areas of Sokoto State, with women making up about 60 per cent of the beneficiaries.

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Anuforo also noted that the programme has trained 483 teachers to improve the quality of teaching in crisis-affected communities and commended the residents of Kware, Isa, and Sabon Birni local government areas for embracing the initiative despite the security challenges in the region.

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The project reflects JRS' commitment to ensuring that children affected by conflict and displacement are not denied access to education, with Anuforo describing learning as a vital tool for restoring hope and rebuilding communities.

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Bishop Kukah, in his keynote address, emphasized that both Islam and Christianity encourage the pursuit of knowledge, making education a shared responsibility for all, and appealed to development partners, governments, and communities to support initiatives that expand educational opportunities.

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Kukah stressed that every child deserves the chance to realise their potential, regardless of background or circumstances, and that investing in education would not only reduce the number of out-of-school children but also contribute to lasting peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development in northern Nigeria.