Collapse of USAID endangers a school for individuals affected by Boko Haram's extremist activities in its origin region

In northeastern Nigeria, a region devastated by conflict and under-funding, a young boy named Israel Peter has been unable to attend school for eight long years. His village was attacked by Boko Haram, a terrorist group notorious for recruiting vulnerable child fighters.

The Future Prowess Islamic Foundation school, which initially provided education to orphans and later expanded its mission to support children affected by the conflict, was one of the few beacons of hope for these children. However, the school has recently been forced to let go of 700 students and 20 teachers due to the withdrawal of US funding.

The school, which has benefited 3,000 children in Borno state, was run by the Christian Solidarity International (CSI). The loss of US funding, a result of the Trump administration dismantling USAID, has left the school struggling to continue its vital work.

The Future Prowess Islamic Foundation school had also accepted applications from children who were former Boko Haram members who defected and renounced violence. It is unclear if any of the children who were let go by the school were former Boko Haram members. School officials and aid groups worry that children they can no longer support might end up being welcomed by Boko Haram extremists.

Nigeria's government funds education at between 4% and 7% of its federal budget, far short of the 15% to 20% global benchmark recommended by UNESCO. Many families in the region can't afford to pay for education within existing structures due to the lack of funding. Primary education is officially free in Nigeria, but parents in most states, including Borno, still pay fees for maintenance and other needs that often range from 5,000 naira ($3.27) to 15,000 naira ($9.80).

Hajara Musa, the despairing mother of Ramatu Usman, cries every day for her daughter. Ramatu, who had wanted to study medicine, was dropped from the school this year and is now forced to knit caps for sale. Hajara believes that a quality school is important, especially in the dangerous environment, as those who don't go to school have miserable lives.

Yusuf Mustapha, a graduate of the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation school, is a final-year computer science student at a university in Nigeria's southwest. His parents were killed by Boko Haram. He attributes his success to the school, stating that without it, he doesn't know how his life would have been as he did not have anyone to sponsor his education or provide for his food.

The situation in northeastern Nigeria can play into the hands of jihadists who exploit issues like this to their advantage, according to Nigerian security researcher Malik Samuel at Good Governance Africa. The loss of education for thousands of children is a serious concern, as it could potentially lead to more children being recruited by Boko Haram.

Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world - over 10 million, according to UNICEF. The impact of the under-funding is far worse in the northeast, where conflict has ruined key infrastructure and families are preoccupied with survival.

The situation is dire, but there is hope. Aid groups and the Nigerian government must work together to ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances. The future of these children depends on it.

Collapse of USAID endangers a school for individuals affected by Boko Haram's extremist activities in its origin region