UNICEF reports over 7 million out-of-school girls in Nigeria

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has highlighted a concerning issue, with approximately 7.6 million girls, predominantly from northern Nigeria, lacking access to education. The UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, brought attention to this during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl 2023 in Kano. The event’s theme was “Our time is now – our rights, our future.”

While acknowledging the achievements of girls, Ms. Munduate emphasized the alarming reality of millions of girls being deprived of educational opportunities. She pointed out that Nigeria is responsible for 15% of the world’s out-of-school children, with just 9% of the poorest girls having access to secondary school.

These statistics serve as a wake-up call, illustrating the urgent need to address this educational crisis. She also noted that Kano ranks second in the number of out-of-school girls in Nigeria. This highlights the importance of emphasizing the transformative power of education, which not only opens doors to opportunities but also actively helps break the cycles of poverty.

The event showcased the boundless potential within every girl child, as the students participating demonstrated what can be achieved when girls are empowered. During a panel discussion, the students addressed various issues, including the challenges posed by insecurity as a significant barrier to girls’ education and the importance of girls’ participation in various sectors of human endeavor.