5.11.2026
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for increased support for children in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Benue State to ensure access to quality education despite the humanitarian crisis affecting the state.
Education Specialist, UNICEF Field Office Enugu, Believe Eke, made the call on Thursday in Makurdi at the presentation and validation of the Benue State Education Needs Assessment Report.
Mr Eke said many displaced children and those in host communities faced challenges accessing education due to insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and limited learning opportunities.
He said the assessment was conducted by UNICEF in collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to identify educational needs and guide interventions.
According to him, the exercise, conducted in July 2026, focused on communities and IDP camps affected by the humanitarian crisis.
Mr Eke said findings showed that many children, particularly those in IDP camps, lacked access to basic and quality education, while some schools operated in inadequate classrooms and lacked essential facilities.
He identified the need for improved learning infrastructure, quality teaching, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, as well as flexible learning arrangements for displaced children unable to attend formal schools.
He said UNICEF was already supporting the state government in implementing some recommendations, including psychosocial support for teachers and learners affected by the crisis.
Mr Eke stated that UNICEF had renovated classrooms at the Abagana IDP camp after the roofs were blown off, while over 1,000 children had been enrolled in learning programmes in the camps.
He said facilitators were also being trained, with learning materials provided to improve the quality of education for displaced children.
“Because of the crisis, these children are not where they want to be. While we are providing learning, we are also providing psychosocial support to help them cope with their experiences,” he said.