In a joint press release, UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNIC have called upon the Nigerian government to prioritize education to foster a sustained culture of peace and tolerance. The United Nations emphasizes the pivotal role of education in shaping a peaceful society and envisions it as a potent tool for combatting hate speech and promoting human dignity.

Abdourahamane Diallo, the UNESCO Representative in Nigeria, underscored the profound impact of education on peace, stating that empowering learners with the requisite knowledge and skills can transform them into agents of peace within their communities. There is a clear call to action for the government, influencers, and civil society to propel the integration of education into peacebuilding at all levels.

UNESCO has introduced a new standard instrument on education for lasting peace, which leverages education to address the underlying causes of hate speech and raise awareness of its consequences both online and offline.

UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, lauded Nigeria’s commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration and highlighted the vital role of education in gender equality, economic growth, and social development. She also expressed concerns about the accessibility of education, particularly for Nigerian children whose learning experiences are disrupted by attacks on communities and schools, further exacerbating the challenges faced by adolescent girls in accessing education.

Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, reiterated the indispensable role of education in nurturing peace, emphasizing that while hatred stems from words, peace is cultivated through education. Azoulay emphasized the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development, adopted by 194 Member States, as a pivotal tool for reshaping education systems to prepare learners for a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world.

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 24th January as the International Day of Education, celebrating the transformative power of education in fostering peace and development. This international observance underscores the critical role of teaching and learning in promoting lasting peace and calls for the adaptation of education to address current global challenges.

As the world commemorates the International Day of Education, the UN’s message resounds: education serves as the cornerstone for building enduring peace, shaping the attitudes and actions of individuals, and steering societies towards a more equitable, sustainable, and harmonious future.