International Alliance Group Call on Government to Ensure Schools are Safe for Students

By: Michael Mike

Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) has called on the federal government to tackle insecurity in schools headlong and ensure that schools are safe for Nigerian students.

Speaking on the background of Monday’s abduction of at least 25 children and a teacher at a boarding school in north-western Nigeria’s Kebbi state, the Interim Director of the Moving Minds Alliance (MMA), Katie Murphy on Wednesday in Abuja at the First National Consultative Meeting on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Crisis, a two-day dialogue aimed at strengthening support systems for young children affected by conflict, displacement, and other emergencies, said the abduction was a sad narrative that should not be allowed to happen again.

The Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) is a funders collaborative and network focused on scaling up support for young children and families affected by crisis and displacement. They aim to improve coverage, quality, and financing of early childhood development services in emergency contexts.

Speaking at the event, Katie Murphy, stressed the urgency of securing innovative and sustainable domestic financing to safeguard the holistic development of Nigeria’s youngest children.

Murphy noted that while Nigeria receives substantial global support for ECD in crisis settings, most of the funding is channelled into health and nutrition, leaving critical areas such as early learning, responsive caregiving, and psychosocial support largely underfunded.

“This gap presents both a warning and an opportunity,” she said. “If we fail to invest now, the long-term wellbeing of children living through conflict and displacement will be at risk. But with coordinated action, Nigeria can champion a strong national commitment that inspires global momentum.”

She added that the meeting aims to review ongoing interventions, identify policy and financing solutions, and build a unified advocacy roadmap “led by Nigeria, for Nigeria’s children.”

She noted this at the national consultative meeting on children in crisis and development in Nigeria, a 2-day dialogue with Government and Early Childhood Development (ECD) stakeholders and also launch of it strategy and unveiling, “Reimagining early years crisis response strategy 2025-2030” in Abuja.

She said Nigeria can play a vital role in shaping a bold national commitment that inspires global action and includes a specific focus on children affected by crisis and displacement.

“Over the next two days, we are here to reflect on existing efforts to strengthen ECD for children affected by crisis and displacement, identify the policy and financing pathways that can accelerate progress, and begin to work together to shape a coordinated advocacy agenda led by Nigeria, for Nigeria’s children,” she said.

Also, the Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) desk officer at the Ministry of Education, Confidence Okonkwo represented by the Director Basic Education, FME, Dr Folake Olatunji-David assured that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed in ensuring that every Nigerian child is given adequate care in terms of nutrition, in terms of health, in terms of education.

” Nigerian Government has extended collaboration to private sector development for support because government do not have all the resources to cater for challenging issues in the education sector in the country, ” she said.

Representing the Federal Ministry of Education, Director of Basic Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David,, reaffirmed government commitment to ensuring that every child receives adequate nutrition, healthcare, and learning opportunities. She explained that the government is deepening partnerships with the private sector, acknowledging that public resources alone are insufficient to tackle the growing challenges in the education system.

Current national data paints a stark picture, showing that 3.6 million people in Nigeria are displaced as of October 2025, including over 3.57 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 142,557 refugees and asylum-seekers, with more than half of the displaced population are children.

It also showed that 1.8 million children face the threat of severe acute malnutrition, and over 18 million Nigerian children are currently out of school—many due to insecurity and displacement.

Children in these environments often miss out on nurturing care, early learning, mental health support, and other foundations essential for lifelong wellbeing. Without strategic action, experts warn that Nigeria risks falling short of national development targets and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Although Nigeria ranked among the top global recipients of ECD funding in crisis contexts in 2023—$27 million in humanitarian aid and $270 million in development assistance—funding patterns remain uneven. With the OECD forecasting a 30% drop in global aid, Nigeria could lose up to $89 million in ECD-related support by 2027, heightening the importance of domestic investment.

At the consultative meeting organised by the Moving Minds Alliance, the Federal and state ministries, including Education and Women Affairs; UN agencies such as UNHCR; Philanthropic organisations; International and local NGOs; Refugee- and community-led groups from Borno, Cross River, and Benue and media, researchers, and advocates These states were selected for their large populations of refugees and IDPs.

The event also marked the official launch of MMA’s 2025–2030 strategy: Reimagining Early Years Crisis Response.

According to the organisers, after the meeting, a national ECD coalition will be activated to coordinate efforts through 2029, leading up to global advocacy milestones such as the ECD Financing Summit in 2027.

International Alliance Group Call on Government to Ensure Schools are Safe for Students

Nigerian Army neutralizes 239 terrorists, recovers weapons in Kaduna and Niger states

By: Zagazola MAkama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the command of 1 Division, Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YANMA, have successfully neutralized 239 violent extremists and insurgents while recovering a significant cache of weapons and ammunition across Kaduna and Niger states, a top military officer has disclosed.

Maj Gen Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase, during the operational briefing to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, said the successes were part of sustained clearance operations, patrols, ambushes, raids, and anti-kidnapping missions aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action in the sector.

The operations, he said, led to the recovery of 185 assorted weapons and 5,860 rounds of ammunition from identified insurgent enclaves and hideouts. “Our offensive and non-kinetic operations continue to degrade terrorist capabilities and disrupt their operational networks,” Maj Gen Wase said.

He highlighted that the Division’s area of responsibility, which covers Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Niger states, is characterised by rugged terrain, dense forests, and underdeveloped infrastructure, which terrorists exploit as hideouts. Despite these challenges, he said the coordinated use of mobile combat units, light mobility platforms such as motorcycles and gun trucks, and aerial surveillance have restricted insurgent movements and enhanced operational coverage.

Maj Gen Wase also noted the recovery of over 1,091 life-support items, 364 vehicles and motorcycles, and the rescue of 563 kidnapped victims since the Division assumed operational control. He attributed the success to a combination of kinetic operations, intelligence-led targeting, and inter-agency collaboration, which have strengthened the Division’s capacity to dominate its area of responsibility.

He noted that the Nigerian Army has strengthened its commitment to community development and civil-military cooperation with the completion and commissioning of a new primary school in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State.

The unveiling of the Chidambere Community Primary School was part of a broader initiative by 1 Division, Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YANMA, to complement military operations with developmental interventions aimed at winning the hearts and minds of local communities.

Maj Gen Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase, who briefed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, said the project was commissioned and handed over to the Kaduna State Government as part of the Division’s ongoing non-kinetic engagements.

He explained that the Army’s engagement in education, healthcare, and infrastructure is designed to enhance civilian confidence, reduce community vulnerability to terrorist influence, and strengthen local cooperation with security agencies. “The school will serve as a symbol of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development in conflict-affected communities,” Maj Gen Wase said.

The commissioning follows a series of non-kinetic initiatives, including medical outreaches in Tutunbiri, Amarabanjoz, and other affected communities, aimed at ameliorating humanitarian challenges created by prior security operations and air component strikes.

He noted also that as part of ongoing efforts to reduce insurgent influence and promote peace, the Nigerian Army has successfully facilitated the surrender of several terrorist groups operating in Kaduna State, Maj Gen Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase has disclosed.

The surrenders were achieved through a reconciliation and engagement team constituted in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser. Targeted localities included Chukun, Egebi, Ndiwa, and Birnin Gwari LGAs, where terrorists were encouraged to lay down arms and accept government amnesty.

Maj Gen Wase revealed that 16 notorious terrorist groups, including Dogo Gide, Yelo Jamboros, Kolo Meri, Alhajilabi, Bilia, Gwamna, and Kabiru Boderi, expressed willingness to surrender. Weapons and ammunition were recovered during the process, and 142 kidnapped victims were released without ransom, including Dr. Daniel Okuola, a medical doctor who had been abducted in 2023 from the National Eye Center, Kaduna.

The GOC emphasised that these non-kinetic engagements do not reduce the intensity of ongoing kinetic operations. Rather, they complement military efforts by isolating terrorists from vulnerable communities, gathering intelligence, and strengthening civil-military relations.

He noted that the Division’s integrated approach of reconciliation, civil engagement, and targeted operations has strengthened public confidence in the military and supported the broader aim of restoring peace and security across the sector.

Maj Gen Wase said the Division remains committed to sustaining dialogue with repentant elements while continuing offensive operations against those who reject government amnesty.

Nigerian Army neutralizes 239 terrorists, recovers weapons in Kaduna and Niger states

COAS tasks troops on mentorship, confidence in training, combat readiness

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged soldiers of the Nigerian Army to uphold the highest standards of professionalism by relying on their training, embracing mentorship, and demonstrating confidence during operations.

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu gave the charge while addressing troops at 1 Division during an operational visit, on Wednesday.

He emphasised that proper mentorship and leadership by example remain critical to building a combat-ready Army capable of responding decisively to national security challenges.

“You must be mentored properly to do your job,” the COAS told the troops. “Mentorship means leading by example. Listen to your officers. I have spoken to them they will lead you well so that together we can do our job properly.”

Shaibu assured the troops that the Nigerian Army Headquarters would continue to provide necessary resources, logistics and welfare support to enhance their operational efficiency.

“Note that the resources of the state will be used to provide everything that you require. That will be done,” he said.

The Army Chief urged soldiers to apply the skills acquired during basic and advanced military training, stating that competence in weapon handling and combat manoeuvres is essential for battlefield survival and mission success.

“Put the skills you have been taught to practice whenever you are deployed. Have confidence in your training. On hearing a gunshot, you should dash to the nearest cover and return fire,” he said.

According to him, a soldier must not only fire but “aim and kill” when confronted by hostile threats. He said the Army will intensify emphasis on martial principles, marksmanship, and weapon proficiency drills to enhance the fighting capability of the force.

“You have all gone through this training, and we will continue to deepen it. We are strengthening weapon handling and core combat principles to get the proper soldiers to do their job,” Shaibu added.

The visit also created an opportunity for troops to engage the COAS directly, as he opened the floor for questions and clarifications.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I am here with some of my staff,” he said, accompanied by the Chiefs of Operations, Logistics, Military Intelligence, and Personnel Management.

The COAS reiterated his commitment to strengthening operational leadership across formations, emphasising that officers must lead with courage and responsibility, while soldiers must uphold discipline and confidence in their operational duties.

COAS tasks troops on mentorship, confidence in training, combat readiness