The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has verified and registered about 249,523 vulnerable children, including out-of-school adolescent girls, within the state.

A breakdown of the figure shows that 113,208 are Almajiri children, while 136,315 are adolescent girls.

This is even as UNICEF has revealed that out-of-school adolescent girls exist in 30 out of 36 states in Nigeria.

This came to the fore at a two-day media dialogue and field trip to address the situation of the Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls in Nigeria.

The event, held in Sokoto for education reporters in the state and the Federal Capital Territory, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

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UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Sokoto, Michael Juma and a Child Protection Specialist, Godwin Odo, revealed that the figures were obtained through a household survey and a visit to where many of the Almajiris reside with their Mallams.

Specifically, Odo said over 60,000 Almajiris and out-of-school adolescent girls have been trained by UNICEF at Child Protection Centres across the five North West states of Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, and Sokoto.

He said the fund was collaborating with state governments, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions to protect children from exploitation and harm.

This multi-stakeholder approach, he said, aims to reduce the vulnerability of children and ensure their safety and well-being.

He said child-friendly spaces are being implemented to provide safe and supportive environments for education, recreation, and skill development, particularly for out-of-school children and girls.