In a decisive move to tackle the educational challenges faced by children in Nigeria, the governors of the 36 states have pledged to allocate at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to the education sector. This commitment was announced during the inaugural International Conference on Girl Child Education, held in Abuja on October 10-11.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, made the announcement, highlighting the critical need for increased investment in education. “Our commitment as a forum to education financing, especially Girl Child Education funding, is unwavering across the states,” he stated.
The conference opened with a stark warning from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who addressed the pressing issue of millions of children not enrolled in school. He asserted, “The dignity of the girl child defines every civilization… we bear the responsibility of setting the tone for this nation, and there is no greater calling than to prioritize the education of the girl child.”
Statistics shared during the conference revealed a disconcerting reality: 25.6% of primary school-aged children and 29.6% of secondary school-aged children are currently out of school in Nigeria. Shettima emphasized the urgency of addressing these figures, stating, “Each child abandoned to the streets is a liability that the nation will one day pay for.”
The NGF’s commitment includes not only financial allocations but also the establishment of policies to support girl child education. Abdulateef Shittu, the NGF Director General, noted, “Investing in education is not just a target; it is a necessity for the future of our children.” He highlighted the barriers affecting girls’ access to quality education, such as poverty and early marriage.
In a landmark initiative, AbdulRazaq announced the launch of the Girl Child Education Volunteers’ Advocates (GICEVA), which aims to mobilize over 774,000 volunteers across Nigeria. “Through their collective efforts… we will engage in access and quality education advocacy projects,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of community involvement.
The governors are also partnering with the Federal Ministry of Youths and the National Youth Service Corps to establish a Girl Child Education Community Service Group. This initiative will focus on increasing primary school enrollment and enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy skills among children.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, further underscored the government’s commitment by announcing plans to rescue out-of-school children from the streets, starting on October 15, 2024. She stated, “The Federal Government is set to start picking out-of-school children from the streets,” reinforcing the need to reach families of these children.
Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized the role of empowering mothers in this initiative, explaining that it would help ensure their children receive quality education. “We have a comprehensive plan to empower these women so they can adequately care for their children,” she added.
Kwara State First Lady Olufolake Abdulrazaq praised the NGF’s efforts and highlighted the importance of education for girls. “While there has been significant progress in improving girl child access to education, many continue to be deprived of this basic right,” she lamented, calling for focused investments in vocational education.
In his concluding remarks, Abdulateef Shittu reaffirmed the NGF’s dedication to resolving educational challenges. He stated that the promotion of girl child education is a top priority, with a campaign aimed at increasing primary school enrollment as a key strategy.
The conference featured various presentations and discussions on educational strategies, alongside the formal launch of the GICEVA initiative, marking a significant step towards improving educational outcomes for girls in Nigeria. The commitment from state governors and federal officials signals a collective effort to address the pressing issues of educational access and equity in the country.
