The Bauchi state government has reiterated commitment to promote student voices, youth engagement, digital learning and inclusive participation in Co-education system.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Lawal Muhammad, said this at an event to mark the 2026 International Day of Education, on Saturday in Bauchi.
The theme of the event is: “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education.”
Muhammad said youth participation strengthens accountability, improves learning outcomes and builds leadership capacity for the future.
“Education remains the foundation of national development and must reflect the voices, creativity and energy of young people to remain relevant.
“Young people today are innovators, digital creators, peer educators and community leaders.
“When they are actively involved in school governance, learning design, innovation and advocacy, education becomes more meaningful and responsive to real-life challenges,” he said.
Muhammad underscored the need for inclusive education to reach girls, learners living with disabilities and children in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities, noting that every young person deserves not only access to education but the opportunity to help shape it.
He commended the UNICEF and school communities for their support in promoting innovation, inclusion and system strengthening in the education sector, and called on stakeholders to invest in developing youth leadership, safe learning environments and inclusive learning opportunities.
According to Muhammad, the future of education cannot be designed for young people without their involvement.
Mr Abdulrahman Ado, Education Specialist in the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, described education as critical to shaping the future of the society.
He said the engagement aimed to promote inclusiveness and encourage youths to acquire quality education, adding that digital education fosters self-reliance and confidence among young people.
Ado urged the youths to pursue education at all costs and emphasised the need for active youth participation in creating a conducive quality learning atmosphere.
He said the UN agency would continued to support the government to ensure delivery of quality education in the state.
Mrs Ladi Hamma, State Coordinator, Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), called for increased youth participation and sustained investment in girl-child education.
She said the growing influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence made it imperative to equip youths, particularly girls, with relevant skills to compete in a rapidly changing world.
“While artificial intelligence presents opportunities to improve access to quality of education, deliberate efforts are required to bridge the digital divide and ensure girls are not left behind,” she said.
Hamma reaffirmed commitment to initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education for adolescent girls and strengthening education systems.
She urged government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, educators, parents, civil society organisations and development partners to intensify efforts towards promoting youth engagement and girl-child education.
