According to a recent report by the World Bank, 45 percent of girls in Nigeria give birth before the age of 18. This alarming statistic was shared by Ndiame Diop, the World Bank Country Director, during a National Conference on Girls’ Education and Empowerment held in Abuja on Tuesday.
At the event, which was centered on the theme “Effective Partnership on Girls’ Education: Out-of-School Children Education for National Development,” Diop, represented by Taimur Samad, the World Bank Deputy Country Director, provided several concerning insights into the educational and social challenges Nigerian girls face.
Diop noted that over two-thirds of girls in the country drop out of school before reaching junior secondary school. He also pointed out that 35 percent of Nigerian girls are married by the age of 15.
The World Bank official emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues and advocated for stronger partnerships between various stakeholders to help combat these challenges.
“What has been impressive to us at the World Bank is the conviction of our partners—the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 18 Executive Governors participating in the AGILE programme, and the traditional and community leaders here today—which is even greater than the challenges,” Diop added.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program, a key project aimed at improving girls’ education in the country, was highlighted as an essential component of the solution.
The program seeks to foster cooperation among local governments, community leaders, and the federal government to ensure that girls in Nigeria receive proper education and have the opportunity to succeed in life.
The event also featured a speech by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who noted the significant barriers preventing many girls from attending school. These barriers include poverty, early marriage, child labor, and harmful cultural practices.
“It is disheartening to see girls hawking on the streets or working as domestic help instead of sitting in classrooms where their potential can be unlocked,” Alausa remarked.
He further pointed out the dangers that girls face when they are unable to access education. “The girl-child thus becomes more vulnerable to exploitation, child labour, and personal life hazards, including threats and violence,” he said.
Despite efforts like free and compulsory basic education programs, many girls continue to face insurmountable challenges to their education.
Alausa concluded by stressing the importance of collective efforts in supporting girls’ education. He called for increased advocacy from traditional and religious leaders to help shift societal attitudes and engage communities in promoting girls’ access to education.
