By Vincent Ujumadu

Awka – The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has warned that without adequate investment in education, it would be difficult for Nigeria to make real progress.

The UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, while launching the Institute for Social Policy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, a new academic programme facilitated by the world body, said it is not enough to lament the large number of out- of- school enrollment, but to take action to solve the problem.

“Education is an essential priority for the federal government and the 36 states of the federation. Education will never be an expenditure, but an investment. It has to be effective and productive and so, it requires taking real decisions,” she said.

According to her, UNICEF’s partnership with the academic community and research institutes, is to enhance the impact of its mission, which is to strengthen government systems for effective, inclusive and sustainable policies and targeting the most vulnerable populations to ensure children’s survival and thriving.

Munduate further explained that the collaboration led by UNICEF Social Policy work focuses on child poverty, social protection, public finance management and local governance.

She added that the partnership also emphasizes on knowledge generation, evidence- based advocacy and policy engagement for better future for Nigerian children.

“The goals of the Institute of Social Policy are to serve as knowledge and innovation hub for government institutions and policy makers, provide strategic training for national professionals in social policy and foster collaboration with the academia and partners like UNICEF and others, to advance children’s rights”, she said.

The Director of the institute, Prof. Uche Nwogwugwu said the university has provided conducive environment for intending students, stressing that the programme will be  research -based and will help to solve contemporary problems in society.

While commending UNICEF for mounting the programme at UNIZIK, Nwogwugwu said: ” The child is no doubt, the focus of UNICEF mandate and as such,we expect our partners to show interest in all our products to enable our society to positively move on the ladder of development.”

 The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, expressed happiness at the choice of UNIZIK for the programme.

 “The establishment of the Institute of Social Policy signifies a new chapter in our commitment to research and capacity building in social policy.

“This partnership with UNICEF will enable us to equip and empower future leaders by providing them with essential skills and knowledge to address intricate social issues, thereby contributing to sustainable development in Nigeria,” Ikechebelu said.