Education
THE Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) hosted a thought-provoking webinar on “Child Kidnapping in Nigeria: Implications for Education, Security and Sustainable Development,” bringing together faith leaders, development practitioners, educators, and concerned citizens to examine the growing crisis of child kidnapping and identify practical solutions for protecting children and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s educational system.
The webinar was moderated by Vivian Emesowum, the awareness team lead for PACTPAN, Nigeria, a community development practitioner and child protection advocate, who guided participants through an engaging discussion on the root causes, consequences, and possible solutions to the worsening insecurity affecting children across Nigeria.
In her welcome remarks, Vivian noted that child kidnapping has become more than a security issue, describing it as a national development challenge with devastating effects on education, child protection, family well-being, and social stability. Throughout the session, she challenged the speakers and participants with thought-provoking questions on the role of government, communities, religious institutions, and lessons Nigeria can learn from countries that have successfully reduced child kidnapping.
The webinar featured presentations by Reverend Father Augustine Ikenna and Reverend Sister Paschal Umba, both of whom drew on their extensive experience in education, pastoral ministry, and community development.
Reverend Sister Paschal Umba highlighted how insecurity has significantly reduced school enrolment, particularly among girls, as parents increasingly fear sending their children to school. She explained that schools have adjusted academic calendars because of insecurity while orphanages and institutions caring for vulnerable children continue to face increasing pressure due to growing numbers of displaced and at-risk children.
She identified corruption, weak institutions, poor leadership, greed, declining family values, and the erosion of moral principles as major contributors to the crisis. She urged religious leaders to move beyond prayer by speaking boldly against injustice, advocating for safer communities, and expanding access to affordable education and vocational training that offers hope to young people.
Reverend Father Augustine Ikenna presented an overview of the educational consequences of mass kidnappings in Nigeria. Referencing the widespread school abductions recorded since the Chibok incident in 2014, he noted that thousands of children have been abducted, many schools have been forced to close, and millions of learners have experienced severe disruptions to their education. He stressed that out-of-school children remain highly vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups and criminal networks, making investment in education a critical strategy for national security.
The discussion also explored the wider regional dimensions of child trafficking and violent extremism across West Africa. Participants examined how poverty, unemployment, poor governance, and weak accountability continue to fuel insecurity while exposing children and young people to exploitation and recruitment by criminal and terrorist groups.
Responding to the presentations, Vivian raised critical questions on why Nigeria continues to expend enormous resources responding to kidnappings rather than investing more substantially in quality education, child protection, and preventive measures. She also sought the speakers’ perspectives on lessons Nigeria could learn from countries that have made measurable progress in reducing child kidnapping through stronger accountability, community participation, and effective governance.
Participants agreed that ending child kidnapping requires a comprehensive approach involving government, families, faith communities, schools, civil society organizations, and local communities. They emphasized the importance of strengthening family values, improving accountability, investing in education and youth employment, promoting community vigilance, and encouraging religious leaders to become stronger advocates for justice and child protection.
In her closing remarks, Vivian thanked the speakers and participants for their valuable contributions, noting that the webinar reinforced the understanding that child kidnapping is not merely a security concern but also a moral, educational, social, and developmental crisis that demands collective action from every sector of society.
PACTPAN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dialogue, advocacy, and collaborative action on issues affecting vulnerable populations across Africa and called on governments, faith-based institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens to work together to safeguard every child’s right to education, safety, and a hopeful future.
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