The United Nations (UN) in Nigeria has issued a compelling call for the Nigerian government to centralize education in all peacebuilding endeavors, with the aim of fostering a enduring culture of peace throughout the nation.
In a collaborative statement released by UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNIC to commemorate the International Day of Education in Nigeria, the UN stressed the critical necessity of positioning education as a pivotal tool for instilling human dignity, tolerance, and peace. The Head of UNESCO Abuja Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diallo, emphasized the urgency of prioritizing education to empower learners with the essential knowledge, competencies, and attitudes needed to become agents of peace within their immediate communities.
Diallo asserted, “Placing education at the forefront of our commitment to peace can enable learners to acquire the necessary skills to contribute positively to their communities.” Encouraging the government to accord education the highest priority on its political agenda, Diallo called on influencers and civil society at large to unite in propelling the movement to integrate education into the core of peacebuilding efforts at all levels.
Revealing that UNESCO has established new standard instruments for education in the pursuit of lasting peace, Diallo highlighted the multifaceted opportunities education provides to address the root causes of hate speech and sensitize learners of all ages to its various forms and consequences, both online and offline.
UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, acknowledged Nigeria’s commitment to creating safe school environments through initiatives such as endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration and developing Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. However, she emphasized the need for further progress, particularly in safeguarding the educational environment for every child.
Munduate underscored the pivotal role of education as a driver of gender equality, economic growth, and social development. Despite this, she lamented the inaccessibility of education for many Nigerian children due to disruptions caused by attacks on communities and schools, including the abduction of students. Munduate pointed out that these challenges disproportionately affect adolescent girls, potentially impeding the progress made in girls’ education in Nigeria.
In a message, UNESCO Director General, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, asserted, “If hatred starts with words, peace starts with education.” She emphasized the transformative power of education in shaping worldviews and influencing how individuals treat others. Azoulay dedicated this year’s International Day of Education, observed on 24 January, to the crucial role of teaching and learning in promoting lasting peace and addressing current global challenges.
Azoulay highlighted the significance of the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development, adopted by 194 Member States in November 2023. This landmark global standard-setting instrument serves as a roadmap for rethinking and redesigning education systems to prepare learners to collectively shape more just, sustainable, healthy, and peaceful futures. Azoulay expressed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting education reforms based on this recommendation worldwide.
The International Day of Education, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 3rd December 2018, serves as an annual celebration of the role of education in promoting peace and development.
