The African Union (AU) Special Envoy on Children Affected by Armed Conflict, H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, launched the Learning Beyond Conflict Campaign in Nigeria, marking its first activation at Member State level. During the mission, 1,000 children at Bulumkutu Interim Care Centre received school and hygiene packs and sports materials to support recovery and school re-entry. Additionally, more than 500 girls at Muhammadu Buhari Mega School benefited from menstrual hygiene supplies and training underscoring the AU’s commitment to protecting children’s dignity and advancing safe and inclusive access to education for children affected by armed conflict.

The Maiduguri engagements took place under the patronage of the Governor of Borno State, H.E. Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and the First Lady, H.E. Dr. Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum. The mission, undertaken in Abuja and Maiduguri from 19 to 24 October 2026, was supported by the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflict (AP-CAAC) and the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

In Maiduguri, discussions with the Borno State leadership focused on safe schools, rehabilitation and reintegration, school dropout and sustainable financing for child protection. At Mona Vocational Centre, the delegation also donated hygiene packs and observed vocational training in electrical engineering, fashion design, leatherwork, cosmetology and construction, highlighting the importance of practical skills in restoring opportunities and supporting the reintegration of children and young people affected by conflict.

In Abuja, consultations with the National Human Rights Commission underscored the need to strengthen accountability for violations against children, referrals for rehabilitation, family tracing and reunification, education and psychosocial support, and the use of human rights data to inform child-sensitive early warning. At the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop reaffirmed readiness to deepen cooperation with the Special Envoy, including through joint missions and training of uniformed personnel in international humanitarian law.

A partners’ roundtable co-organised with UNICEF called for stronger monitoring of grave violations, safer schools, community-based early warning, psychosocial support and sustained financing for reintegration. At the Borno State Children’s Parliament, child parliamentarians articulated the challenges facing children affected by armed conflict and called for their recommendations to inform concrete action.

Through the Learning Beyond Conflict Campaign, the AU seeks to mobilise political commitment and partnerships to ensure that conflict does not deprive children of their right to education, protection and a future. The mission reinforces the importance of translating AU Peace and Security Council decisions and commitments under the Safe Schools Declaration into tangible action, ensuring that children can safely access, return to and remain in education.

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