The World Bank has revealed that 45 per cent of girls in Nigeria give birth before the age of 18 years, raising concerns about the education of girls.
The World Bank Country Director, Ndiame Diop, disclosed this, yesterday, at the National Conference on Girls’ Education and Empowerment in Abuja.
Indeed, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Lawal Usman, urged traditional and religious leaders in the country to champion the adequate education and empowerment of girls in their communities.
Diop, represented at the conference themed ‘Effective Partnership on Girls’ Education: Out-of-School Children Education for National Development’ by the World Bank Deputy Country Director, Taimur Samad, said: “Over two-thirds of girls in Nigeria drop out of school before junior secondary. Thirty-five per cent are married by the age of 15, and 45 per cent give birth before the age of 18.”
He further stated that the challenges facing girls could be addressed with collaboration among traditional and community leaders, the Federal Government, and the 18 governors participating in the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.
“What has been impressive to us at the World Bank is the conviction of our partners –the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 18 governors participating in the AGILE programme, and the traditional and community leaders here today – which is even greater than the challenges,” he added.
Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, noted that many girls remain out of school due to poverty, child labour, early marriage and harmful cultural practices.
USMAN also appealed to the World Bank to expand its AGILE project to cover the 36 states and the FCT in the interest of the girl-child.
He said his committee had been working assiduously on the amendment of the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, now at the third reading stage before the Senate, as well as the Bill for an Act to Amend the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, Cap N4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024 and for other Related Matters 2024, which he sponsored, that also passed the second reading stage.
The lawmaker explained: “When finally passed, it will revolutionise and revitalise basic education, including, of course, girl-child education in Nigeria.”
Usman who is also referred to as Senator LA by his supporters in his Kaduna Central Senatorial District, spoke during the national conference on girls’ education.
According to him, without the support of religious and traditional leaders in the country, the level of education girls could attain in life “will remain a mirage.”
