By Peter Omopo
The European Union, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Sokoto State Government have strengthened their partnership to enhance healthcare and educational services, particularly for women, children, and adolescents in the state.
This commitment was reaffirmed on Tuesday during a working visit to several health and education facilities in Sokoto by EU officials, led by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot.
Mignot highlighted the EU’s ongoing efforts to support the state through the recently launched Support to Adolescent and Reproductive Health Access (SARA) project, which focuses on improving access to healthcare for women and adolescents.
“We are aware of the serious healthcare challenges facing Sokoto State, and this is why we’ve begun rolling out support through the SARA project,” Mignot said. “We are also supporting nutrition programmes and primary healthcare, including the integration of formal education into Quranic and nomadic schools.”
The ambassador also underscored the critical role of girl-child education in societal development, calling it a “powerful accelerator for development and prosperity.”
“Countries that invest in educating young girls tend to achieve better economic outcomes. Giving young girls educational opportunities is vital for the future prosperity of their communities,” he added.
The EU’s humanitarian arm, ECHO, is also channeling significant aid to address nutrition and healthcare needs in the region. Mignot disclosed that the EU and its member states contribute over €100 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria annually, with a substantial portion directed to the Northwest.
The collaborative initiative aims to build resilient health and education systems, ensuring that vulnerable populations in Sokoto have improved access to essential services.
