Nigeria Conflict Cost: UNICEF Reports $10bn Loss in North-East

On October 8, 2025, UNICEF revealed that Nigeria’s North-East conflict cost the economy $10 billion over a decade.

Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Country Representative, shared this at a Maiduguri event launching a reintegration program.

Income and Opportunity Loss

Saeed, represented by Shah Mohammad Khan, noted the Nigeria conflict cost crippled family incomes.

“The insurgency devastated earning potential,” she said. Children, especially girls, face barriers to education and skills development.

Violations Against Children

The conflict brought abductions and violence, harming children’s futures.

The Nigeria conflict cost extends beyond finances, stunting human capital growth. This underscores the urgent need for recovery programs in the region.

Reintegration Program Launched

UNICEF’s new socio-economic initiative supports conflict-affected children. It offers vocational training in tailoring, ICT, auto repair, shoemaking, and carpentry.

The program restores hope and opportunity in the Nigeria conflict cost recovery.

Beneficiaries and Scope

Currently, 1,033 children, 567 boys and 466 girls, receive training in Maiduguri, Bama, Biu, Damboa, and Konduga.

The program provides market-driven skills, psychosocial support, and certifications for sustainable livelihoods.

Building Brighter Futures

“These centers restore dignity,” Saeed said. Over 1,000 children will benefit annually, gaining skills for employment.

Graduates contribute to community resilience, addressing the long-term Nigeria conflict cost impact.

Collaborative Support

Borno’s Education Commissioner, Abba Wakilbe, praised UNICEF’s efforts. Partner agencies like UNDP, IOM, and UNODC support the initiative.

“UNICEF aids us in tough times,” Wakilbe noted, emphasizing collaborative recovery.

Skills for Resilience

The program equips adolescents with practical tools. Life skills and psychosocial support complement training.

This holistic approach helps children rebuild lives disrupted by the Nigeria conflict cost burden.

Regional and National Impact

The initiative fosters peace and recovery. By empowering youth, it counters the economic and social toll of conflict.

Skilled graduates drive local growth, mitigating the Nigeria conflict cost effects.

Path to Recovery

UNICEF’s program aligns with Nigeria’s stabilization goals. It tackles the conflict’s economic scars through education and opportunity.

The initiative sets a model for rebuilding communities in 2025 and beyond.

Commitment to Children

Saeed stressed empowering youth for sustainable futures. The program’s certifications open job prospects.

It ensures children affected by conflict contribute to Nigeria’s recovery from the Nigeria conflict cost.

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