Kano, Nigeria – Recent data from UNICEF reveals that over 10.2 million Nigerian children are out of school or have never attended. To address this, a radio-based educational initiative, “Makaranta Radio,” has reached over 86,000 children in the North West region over the past two years.
The program, introduced by Community Aid Connect, a non-governmental organization focused on education and health challenges, aims to provide basic literacy and numeracy skills to children who lack access to formal education. The lessons, delivered through drama and interactive segments, are broadcast on 14 radio stations across seven North West states.
Maryam Faruk, Executive Director of Community Aid Connect, explained the choice of radio as a medium:
“The North West was selected due to its high number of out-of-school children and security challenges. Radio is accessible and widely used, making it an effective tool for reaching these communities.”
The program’s success was echoed by Muhammad Sabo, the media officer overseeing the initiative.
“This program has significantly improved the learning experience for out-of-school children. It’s also creating awareness among parents, who are becoming more involved in their children’s education,” he noted.
Field Coordinator Bolani Akinduwa emphasized the accessibility of radio as a key factor.
“Radio doesn’t require complex equipment and is available in nearly every household. This makes it ideal for delivering educational content to underserved areas,” he said.
Despite its successes, the program faces challenges, particularly in reaching remote areas and ensuring consistent engagement with target communities.
To address these hurdles and improve the program’s impact, Community Aid Connect recently organized a two-day workshop in Kano. The event brought together education authorities from seven northern states to discuss strategies for scaling up the initiative. Participants focused on monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and identifying ways to extend the program’s reach.
Professor Sulaiman Sama’ila, a workshop participant, expressed optimism about the program’s future.
“There is a clear commitment among stakeholders to implement lessons from this workshop and strengthen the program for sustainable impact,” he said.
As efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria continue, the program highlights the potential of simple, community-focused solutions to address systemic challenges.
