A rekindled zeal for learning
For some school children in Kano state, improved learning environment, enhanced by climate-resilient classrooms, clean toilets and water facilities make learning a great choice.
KANO, 15 May 2025 – Thirteen-year-old Aisha Abubakar’s mornings have transformed. She now eagerly prepares for school, thanks to the renovated Kawon Lambu Nomadic Primary School in Kano state's Nassarawa local government area, Northwest Nigeria.
Aisha is a Primary four pupil. The Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) project, a partnership between the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UNICEF, has made learning attractive for children like her, once again.
From Challenges to Opportunities
Before the renovation, Aisha's school faced numerous challenges. Rainwater would seep through the roofs, flooding classrooms, and the lack of toilets and unreliable water source made coming to school a very hard choice.
The new facilities, including well-ventilated classrooms, separate toilets for girls and boys, and a solar-powered borehole, have brought joy and relief to students like Aisha and her friend Aliyu Musa, 14.
"We are thrilled with the new infrastructure, we'll no longer experience heat in the classrooms. I'm elated. We now have everything we need to learn comfortably"
A Partnership for Change
The CRIBS project is part of a broader partnership between UNICEF, the FCDO and the governments of Kano and Jigawa states to improve the well-being of children and improve access to education. According to Dave McConalogue, FCDO's Senior Health Adviser, "The UK Government is investing in the CRIBS project to support the Government of Nigeria and state governments in ensuring that the poorest people can access basic life-saving services and education."
A New Lease on Learning
With climate-resilient infrastructure in place, students like Aisha and Aliyu can now focus on their studies without disruptions. Nura Ibrahim, Director of Special Programmes, State Universal Basic Education Board in Kano affirms, "We have seen changes in the structure of the buildings in many of our schools that are now resilient to the climate. We appreciate the efforts of UNICEF and the FCDO."
A UNICEF analysis on climate-related disruptions to schooling in 2024 revealed that globally, at least 242 million students – from pre-primary to upper secondary education – experienced school disruptions due to climate related events in 2024. This report revealed that 2.2 million children in Nigeria had their academic sessions called off due to floods in 2024.
The CRIBS project is a beacon of hope for thousands of children in Jigawa and Kano states, providing them with a safe and conducive infrastructure that protects them from the impacts of climate change.
The statistics remain grim but with timely and systemic interventions like the CRIBS project, young students like Aisha and Aliyu can hope for an increased chance at accessing a sustainable and healthy learning environment.
