Hassan Is in a Hurry
A 10-year-old boy in Adamawa State is racing towards an education he believes will one day help him protect his community
Hassan Shuaibu was late for class.
The 10-year-old burst through the gate of the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) centre in Ganye, Adamawa State, and hurried across the dusty compound. His classmates were already seated and lessons had begun. Most children his age might have slipped quietly into the classroom and hoped nobody noticed, but Hassan looked genuinely troubled.
"I don't like coming late," he said as he settled onto a bench.
There was no attempt to avoid responsibility or offer excuses. He explained matter-of-factly that he had been delayed because he needed to fetch water for his family before coming to school. Then, after a brief pause, he revealed why arriving late bothered him so much.
"I am seeking knowledge."
The words sounded striking coming from a boy of just ten years old.
In many parts of northeast Nigeria, conflict has disrupted education for years, forcing children out of classrooms and limiting opportunities to learn. Beyond insecurity, many children receive only religious education while missing out on the literacy, numeracy and life skills that help young people navigate the wider world. Without these foundational skills, many struggle to read a simple sentence, solve basic arithmetic problems or fully understand the opportunities available beyond their immediate surroundings. Dreams often remain distant because the path towards them has never been clearly laid.
Hassan understands this better than most.
When asked what he hopes to become in the future, his answer comes immediately.
"I want to be a military officer."
His face brightens as he speaks. Then he explains why.
"I want to protect my community. But I need knowledge to do that."
It is a remarkable response from a child his age. Many children dream about uniforms, but Hassan already understands that serving others requires more than good intentions. He believes education is the foundation upon which every ambition must be built.
Like many children attending the learning centre supported by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Hassan's early education focused primarily on religious learning. While he values that foundation deeply, he also knows it is not enough to help him achieve the future he imagines for himself. He wants to learn how to read confidently, write clearly and understand the world beyond his community. For him, education is not simply about attending school. It is the bridge between who he is today and who he hopes to become tomorrow.
That understanding drives him every day.
Before he can attend lessons, there are often chores at home. Yet despite these demands, Hassan remains determined to be in class. And when he finally arrives, there is never any doubt about why he is there. His attention rarely wanders. Every lesson matters. Every word from his teacher matters.
Across Ganye, the Adamawa State Government, with support from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and UNICEF, has established more than 100 Accelerated Basic Education Programme centres, helping children who missed years of schooling return to learning and to reclaim their futures. The impact becomes immediately visible when one steps into Hassan's classroom.
The room hums with energy. Children eagerly raise their hands to answer questions. Some carefully trace letters in exercise books while others work through mathematics problems with intense concentration. Laughter mixes easily with learning. For many of these children, the classroom represents far more than a place to study. It is a second chance.
Among them sits Hassan, listening intently to his teacher and absorbing every lesson. His dream of becoming a military officer may still be years away, but each day he moves a little closer towards it. With every lesson, he gains the literacy and numeracy skills that will help him better understand his world and chart a path towards the future he wants.
For now, his mission is simple.
To learn.
To understand.
To seek knowledge.
Because Hassan already knows something many adults spend years discovering before you can protect a community, lead others or change lives, you must first learn how to read the world around you.
And that is why a little boy in Adamawa is always in such a hurry to get to class.
