Sustaining the Hope of Marginalized Children through COFP Scholarship

very child deserves access to quality education, not as a privilege reserved for only a few, but as a fundamental right. In Nigeria, however, this right remains out of reach for many children. UNICEF recommends that at least 26% of national budgets be allocated to education, but government funding continues to fall far below this benchmark. Even with constitutional provisions for free education where practicable, inadequate investment keeps countless children out of school due to financial hardship. Motivated by the belief that education is central to peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development, the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) responded with a Scholarship program focused on addressing the out of school crisis. In the first term of 2025/2026 academic session, the scholarship program expanded to 46 schools, supporting 94 pupils and students across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State, Niger State, and, for the first time, Ekiti State from September 14th through November 2025. The strong academic performance of the beneficiaries tells a powerful story that when children are given the opportunity to learn, they rise to it. Through this program, COFP continues to move beyond advocacy, using education as a practical tool to restore hope, dignity, and a more peaceful future for Nigeria’s children.