… calls for World Bank’s AGILE project extension across all 36 states, FCT
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, has called on religious and traditional leaders across Nigeria to take a leading role in promoting and supporting girl-child education in their communities.
Speaking at the National Conference on Girl-Child Education and Empowerment in Abuja on Tuesday, Senator Usman emphasized that the involvement of these leaders is essential to achieving significant progress in addressing barriers to girl-child education, including child marriage, poverty, and gender discrimination.
The conference, themed “Effective Partnerships on Girls’ Education and Out-of-School Children Education for National Development,” brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and prominent traditional and religious leaders such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Emir of Argungu, Samaila Muhammad Mera.
In his goodwill message, Senator Usman highlighted the urgent need to address the plight of the 3.9 million Nigerian girls currently out of school, as estimated by UNESCO. He urged traditional and religious leaders to leverage their influence to reshape social norms, challenge gender inequalities, and encourage families to prioritize education for girls.
“Our religious and traditional leaders have the natural capabilities to influence families and communities,” Usman said. “They can challenge gender norms and create a supportive environment for the girl-child to learn and thrive. By doing so, they contribute to unlocking barriers and reshaping attitudes that hinder girl-child education.”
The senator also appealed to the World Bank to extend its Adolescents Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, currently operational in 18 states, to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The $1.2 billion initiative focuses on improving access to quality education for adolescent girls.
Senator Usman assured attendees that the Senate Committee on Education is working to strengthen legislative frameworks for basic education in Nigeria. He noted that the amendment of the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, currently at its third reading, and the proposed amendment to the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act are designed to revolutionize education, particularly for the girl-child.
In his remarks, Usman emphasized the importance of empowering girls through education, stating that it equips them with skills and knowledge to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. He also urged leaders to advocate for policies ensuring that girls complete at least secondary education before considering marriage.
The senator lamented that over 50% of Nigerian girls at the basic education level are not attending school, with 1 million dropping out between primary school and junior secondary school. He described the statistics as a national challenge requiring collective action.
“Education is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of gender. Our religious and traditional leaders have a critical role to play in ensuring that every girl has access to quality education and the opportunity to live a better life,” Usman said.
He called for collaborative efforts among community stakeholders, civil society organizations, and policymakers to address the root causes of gender-based barriers to education.
The conference provided a platform for religious and traditional leaders to share best practices and innovative strategies for enhancing girl-child education and empowerment. It concluded with a call to action for leaders to champion the right to education and support initiatives that promote gender equality and the retention of girls in school.
Key Takeaway:
The event underscored the need for strong partnerships and culturally sensitive approaches to tackle gender disparities in education, with a focus on ensuring that every Nigerian girl has access to quality learning and opportunities for empowerment.