As the world marks the International Day of Education 2026 under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,” SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria (SOSCVN) has called for deeper national reflection on what it truly means to educate, empower and prepare Nigeria’s next generation.
In a statement to commemorate the Day, signed by its National Director, Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, the organisation said that in a country with one of the largest youth populations globally, education represents both Nigeria’s greatest opportunity and its most urgent challenge.
SOSCVN acknowledged that progress has been made in expanding access to schooling, revising the national curriculum, strengthening teacher training and improving learning environments. However, it described the reality as still sobering, noting that millions of children and young people remain out of school, while many others learn in classrooms that are under-resourced, overcrowded or disconnected from their lived realities and future aspirations.
According to the organisation, deliberate efforts over the years have focused on improving physical and learning conditions through the reconstruction and renovation of education infrastructure, the provision of essential learning materials, improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and continuous training and retraining of teachers to strengthen learning outcomes.
“These interventions remain critical foundations for quality education. However, infrastructure alone does not guarantee meaningful learning, just as curriculum reform without relevance does not inspire ownership,” the statement said.
SOSCVN stressed that when education systems fail to harness the lived experiences, creativity and ideas of young people, learning risks becoming distant and disengaging, adding that this reality makes the 2026 theme both timely and necessary.
The organisation noted that education becomes stronger, more relevant and more sustainable when young people are recognised as co-creators rather than passive recipients.
“Globally, evidence shows that meaningful youth involvement—through participatory curriculum design, peer learning, youth-led research and advisory roles—improves learning outcomes and deepens ownership. For Nigeria, this is not optional.
“Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 will require more than infrastructure and policy reforms; it will demand a deliberate cultural shift that embeds youth voice, innovation and leadership at the heart of education transformation,” SOSCVN stated.
It explained that this belief is actively being translated into practice by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, which continues to champion youth-led approaches to education and sustainable development, alongside investments in safe learning spaces, teacher capacity building and access to essential learning resources.
The organisation highlighted its Eco Champions platform, through which young people are equipped not only with knowledge, but also with the tools, confidence and agency to design solutions that address real challenges within their communities.
One example cited was the Eco Sustainable Future initiative led by an Eco Champion in Calabar. Recognising the gap between climate education and practical action, the youth leader developed a Climate Playbook to support self-learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing during and beyond her project cycle.
A total of 400 copies of the Climate Playbook were produced, with 360 distributed to students across eight secondary schools in Calabar, while 40 copies were donated to school libraries to ensure long-term access and continued learning.
SOSCVN said feedback from students revealed that the playbook’s impact went beyond numbers, with many learners expressing excitement about practical sections on upcycling waste into reusable bags and footstools. The approach, it noted, helped students immediately connect climate knowledge with hands-on action, creativity and potential livelihood opportunities.
“In this context, the Climate Playbook evolved into more than an educational resource; it became a tool for behavioural change, youth empowerment, leadership development and a meaningful contribution to Nigeria’s broader efforts to nurture environmentally conscious, action-driven young people,” the statement said.
“Co-creation brings learning to life. It bridges theory and practice and nurtures problem-solvers who are invested in the wellbeing and future of their communities.”
As Nigeria continues its journey toward achieving SDG 4, SOSCVN said scaling youth-led, context-responsive initiatives—alongside sustained investments in infrastructure, teacher development, learning materials and safe school environments—will be critical.
“This includes institutionalising youth participation in education planning, investing in digital, green and vocational skills, and creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can influence decisions that shape their learning experiences and futures,” the organisation said.
To mark the International Day of Education, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria called on government, development partners, educators and the private sector to move beyond rhetoric and commit to genuine partnerships with young people.
It added that education systems which listen to youth, learn from them and build alongside them are better positioned to deliver equity, relevance and long-term impact, stressing that the power of education is amplified when it is co-created and that the future of Nigeria’s education sector depends on how boldly stakeholders embrace this truth today.
