How to fight Boko Haram

Following Boko Haram's horrific attacks on our girls, a deep sadness has fallen over our country. What if these were my children, nephews or cousins? At times like this, it is hard to be hopeful. But as a passionate education Campaigner, I and my friends in Nigeria see within this crisis a golden opportunity to not only beat these extremists, but transform the future for all of our children if we come together and act today.

The government has a N41 billion fund specifically for education, but tragically most of this money hasn’t been spent. Nigeria is in the middle of an education emergency, with our schools on the frontline and 10 million of our children locked out of the classroom. Let’s call on our President to urgently review our education system, so we can both improve the quality of education and send every Nigerian child to school.

Corruption coupled with a seeming preference to build classrooms rather than hire teachers has worsened the education crisis in Nigeria. Let’s build a massive call demanding President Jonathan put Nigeria’s children first, not last. Sign the urgent petition now -- when we reach 10,000 signatures, Avaaz will pile a tower of schoolbooks outside his office to demand action.