By Angela Atabo
SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria has called for a bold shift toward youth-led education reform, recognising young people as co-creators of education rather than passive recipients.
Mr Eghosa Erhumwunse ,National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria,made the call in an address to newsmen on Mondsy as the world marked the International Day of Education 2026.
According to Erhumwunse, this year’s celebration themed “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education.”is a call to stakeholders to reflect deeply on how Nigeria educates, empowers, and prepares its next generation.
“Millions of children and young people are still out of school, and many more learn in classrooms that are under-resourced, overcrowded, or disconnected from the realities of their lives and future aspirations.”
Erhumwunse acknowledged the importance of ongoing investments in education infrastructure, including school renovation, provision of learning materials, improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and continuous teacher training; however, infrastructure alone cannot guarantee meaningful learning.
“When education systems fail to harness the lived experiences, creativity, and ideas of young people, learning becomes distant and disengaging.Curriculum reform without relevance does not inspire ownership.”
According to SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, the 2026 theme highlights a critical truth: education is stronger, more relevant, and more sustainable when young people are actively involved as co-creators.
“Evidence from around the world shows that youth participation through participatory curriculum design, peer learning, youth-led research, and advisory roles improves learning outcomes and fosters a sense of ownership,he said.
The organisation stressed that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education)in Nigeria would require more than policy and infrastructure reforms,it would demand a cultural shift that embeds youth voice, innovation, and leadership at the center of education transformation.
Erhumwunse said it is already translating this belief into action through youth-led initiatives especially through the Eco Champions programme,which equips young people with the skills, confidence, and agency to design solutions to real challenges in their communities.
He said an example was the Eco Sustainable Future initiative led by an Eco Champion in Calabar, Cross River State,to bridge the gap between climate education and practical action adding thatd the young leader developed a climate playbook to support self-learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
He said that about 400 copies were produced, with 360 distributed to students in eight secondary schools and 40 donated to school libraries.
He said that SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria emphasised that co-creation brings learning to life by bridging theory and practice and nurturing problem-solvers invested in their communities.
He said that as Nigeria advanced toward SDG 4, the organisation called for scaling youth-led, context-responsive initiatives alongside sustained investments in infrastructure, teacher development, learning materials, and safe school environments.
The NGO also advocated for institutionalising youth participation in education planning, expanding access to digital, green, and vocational skills, and creating inclusive spaces where young people can influence decisions that shape their futures.
He said that on this year’s International Day of Education, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria called on government, development partners, educators, and the private sector to move beyond rhetoric and embrace genuine partnerships with young people.
“Education systems that listen to youth, learn from them, and build alongside them are better positioned to deliver equity, relevance, and long-term impact,” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ATAB