Rising insecurity across Nigeria kept several African students away from the Spark Nation 3.0 programme in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, with parents in neighbouring countries reportedly unwilling to let their children travel into the country for the event, One Youth Global President UcheChukwu Agbo has revealed.

Agbo disclosed while speaking with journalists after the flag off of the programme at the permanent site of Ebonyi State University on Monday. He explained that although 192 schools from across West and Central Africa, including entries from Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Chad and Liberia, registered for the initiative, some parents ultimately withheld their children from attending because of fears tied to Nigeria's security situation.

"But at the end of the day, due to the fear arising from the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, some parents could not allow their children to attend the championship. The students wanted to come, but their parents were unwilling to expose them to such risks," he stated.

Nigerian students, however, formed part of the delegates who took part in the leadership boot camp, debate and quiz competitions involving participants selected from more than 10 African countries, under the theme "Raising Change Makers Across Africa." The programme, targeted at secondary school students, is expected to reach 250 schools, over 3,000 students and 660 teachers, while extending access to formal education for 560 African youths.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, addressed the security concerns directly, restating his administration's commitment to protecting lives and property across the state while urging young participants to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of future elections.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Ebonyi State University, Prof. Michael Aja Nwachukwu, offered a blunter assessment of the national picture, noting that insecurity had touched teachers directly, with some losing family members to kidnapping or captivity. He disclosed that discussions held with the House of Representatives Committee on Security had exposed the scale of Nigeria's porous borders, adding that many communities had begun organising their own protection in the absence of adequate government response.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Ike Elechi Ogba urged the young participants to look beyond social media distractions and focus on building practical solutions to challenges facing the continent.