North East Governors Tackle Child Recruitment Crisis

Governors from North East Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to child protection in light of increasing recruitment of children by armed groups. A report from UNICEF revealed that 1,120 children were recruited in 2024, comprising 525 boys and 595 girls.

Tarek Akkad, UNICEF's Child Protection Manager, highlighted the urgent need for regional governors to intensify efforts to prevent this trend. Taraba State Governor Nelson Dima noted the implementation of free education policies and strategies to protect children from social vices that could lead to recruitment.

Although Taraba has no recorded cases of child recruitment, Dima emphasized the importance of proactive measures. Borno State Governor Abdulrahman Bundi mentioned investments in education and humanitarian assistance to address vulnerabilities.

UNICEF called for stronger collaboration among governors to empower youth through education and skill acquisition programs, which are critical in safeguarding children from militant recruitment.