The project, which is an initiative of the Education Champions Network in Nigeria, envisions a Nigeria where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, have access to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. It will address the linkages between a political office aspirant's manifesto, including specific education asks in their agenda, and tracking actions after their successful election into leadership positions. The project also aims to empower the traditional and religious leaders, media, school girls, and the general public so they can hold such leaders accountable.

The Education Champions Network has, at the National level, developed a manifesto wrapped around three major advocacy “asks” which will guide the CSOs at the state level in developing the state-level manifestos.

To kickstart the project actions, the ECN held a technical meeting of the civil society organizations on 24th of January 2023, to harmonize the state education manifesto and finalize the roadmap for implementation of project actions. Education is recognized as an important integral part of any modern society. Therefore, everyone must hold the government accountable for its failure to provide for free, quality basic education in the true sense.

The manifesto calls on the next government to, amongst others:

Make Senior Secondary Education Free:

• Amend the current legislation to make education free and compulsory up to senior secondary level, thus guaranteeing 12 years of uninterrupted education for Nigerian children.
• Adopt a universalisation approach to the implementation of 12 years of education, which prioritizes support for those at greatest risk of not learning – the poor, the discriminated against, girls, children with disabilities, and those facing multiple disadvantages.

Fund More. Fund Better:

• Commission a task force, including members of civil society, to develop a roadmap to achieve Nigeria's commitment to spend 4% of GDP and 22.5% of the national budget on education by 2025.
• Establish and mainstream minimum standards and guidelines for financial planning for education to include guidance on gender-responsive planning and budgeting and the establishment of national education accounts.

Make Schools Safe:

• Ensure that students deprived of access to quality education as a result of conflict, violence, or crises are promptly given access to quality alternative education in a safe environment, in line with the National Guidelines for Accelerated Basic Education.
• Effectively and immediately roll out the implementation of the Safe Schools Plan of Action and the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
• Enhance teacher training on school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) and create standard operating procedures for responding to rights violations and clear referral pathways for services.

Therefore, we call on the political candidates to prioritize education and have a concrete plan on how to eradicate the education crisis in Nigeria, which is affecting children all over the country. All Nigerian children have the right to free basic education regardless of their circumstances. The Nigerian Government must promote its educational rights and invest in children, as this will lead to a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable country.

For the Education Champions Network- Adamawa Chapter

1. Ace Charity
2. African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD)
3. Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP)
4. The Inclusion Project (TIP)
5. Sustainable Collective Advocacy for Africa Development Initiative (SCAAD Initiative)
   

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