On January 24, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the distribution of 300,000 textbooks to help improve the reading skills of children in nearly 900 schools in Sokoto state.

In a ceremony at Buhari Model Primary school in the Tambuwal local government area, USAID Mission Director Michael Harvey joined Dr. Mohammed Kilgori, Honorable Commissioner of Education to present the books.

“Every child deserves quality basic education,” Harvey said at the ceremony.  “The United States is proud to partner with the Government of Sokoto to invest in the future of children who will grow to make a positive contribution in their communities.”

This distribution supports a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID and Sokoto state, signed in 2016.  Through this agreement Sokoto committed to increasing budget allocations to improve basic education, while USAID will provide technical assistance and support to help Sokoto reach its goal of improved education for children and more effective and efficient management of the entire education system.

“We remain committed to investing in the future of our children through education, and the U.S government is a worthy partner in this vision,” said Dr. Kilgori.

The books were developed by more than 100 local and international experts and contain stories and pictures that promote positive social values.  They are written in Hausa for levels P1 and 2 and transition to English at level P3.

USAID is creating more opportunities for out-of-school-children in Nigeria to access education and boost the literacy level of more than two million  children and youth through its Northern Education Initiative Plus project.

The five-year initiative seeks to reach 1.6 million children in grades P 1-3, along with more than 500,000 out-of-school-chil­dren and youth attending some 11,000 community learning centers.  The program will train and equip around 45,000 teachers and learning facilitators who can reach children in schools and non-formal learning centers.

About USAID: USAID partners to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity. In its partnership with Nigeria, the United States strengthens social stability through social services, supports transparent and accountable governance, promotes a more market­-led economy, and enhances Nigeria’s capacity as a responsible regional and trade partner.