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 has called on stakeholders to rethink how education is designed and delivered in the country, stressing that young people must be treated as partners, not passive recipients.
According to a press statement signed on Monday by the National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse, who reiterated that the future of education in Nigeria depends on how boldly youth voices are embraced today.
Speaking to commemorate the day, Erhumwunse said Nigeria’s large youth population represents both its greatest strength and its most pressing challenge, particularly as millions of children and young people remain out of school or learn in poorly resourced environments.
The statement partly read, “Education remains Nigeria’s greatest opportunity, but also one of its most urgent challenges.
“While progress has been made in expanding access, strengthening teacher training, and improving learning environments, the reality is that millions of children are still excluded, and many classrooms remain overcrowded, under-resourced, or disconnected from young people’s lived realities.”
SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria acknowledged government and partner investments in school reconstruction, learning materials, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, as well as teacher training, describing them as critical foundations for quality education. However, it warned that infrastructure and curriculum reforms alone are not enough.
“Infrastructure alone does not guarantee meaningful learning, just as curriculum reform without relevance does not inspire ownership,” the organisation noted.
According to SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, education systems risk becoming disengaging when they fail to harness the creativity, experiences, and ideas of young people. The organisation described the 2026 theme as timely, arguing that global evidence increasingly shows that youth participation improves learning outcomes and strengthens ownership.
“Education becomes stronger, more relevant, and more sustainable when young people are recognised as co-creators rather than passive recipients,” the statement said. “For Nigeria, this is not optional. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 will require a cultural shift that embeds youth voice, innovation, and leadership at the heart of education reform.”
The organisation highlighted its own youth-led initiatives as practical examples of co-creation in action. Through its Eco Champions platform, young people are supported to design and implement solutions to challenges within their communities.
One such initiative is the Eco Sustainable Future project led by an Eco Champion in Calabar, Cross River State. Identifying a gap between climate education and practical action, the young leader developed a Climate Playbook to promote self-learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
A total of 400 copies of the playbook were produced, with 360 distributed to students across eight secondary schools in Calabar and 40 donated to school libraries to ensure long-term access.
“The feedback from students showed that learning became more exciting when theory was linked to action,” the organisation said. “Many learners were particularly inspired by sections that demonstrated how waste could be upcycled into reusable bags and footstools, connecting climate knowledge to creativity and potential livelihood opportunities.”
SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria said the Climate Playbook has gone beyond being a learning resource to become a tool for behavioural change, youth empowerment, and leadership development.
“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,” the organisation stated.
As Nigeria works toward achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), the organisation called for the scaling of youth-led, context-responsive initiatives alongside sustained investments in infrastructure, teacher development, learning materials, and safe learning environments.
It also urged the institutionalisation of youth participation in education planning, increased investment in digital, green, and vocational skills, and the creation of inclusive spaces where young people can influence decisions about their education.
“On this International Day of Education, we call on government, development partners, educators, and the private sector to move beyond rhetoric and commit to genuine partnership with young people.Education systems that listen to youth and build alongside them are better positioned to deliver equity, relevance, and long-term impact,” Erhumwunse added.
