THE Federal Government has called for support and effective collaboration of traditional and religious leaders with government in order to address the challenge of high rate of out-of-school girls in the country.
According to statistics by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) about 7.6 million girls are out-of-school in Nigeria, noting that 3.9 million of them are at the level of primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.
It further stated that more than 50 per cent of school age girls are not attending schools at the basic education level.
Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, made the call during a national conference of traditional and religious leaders on girls’ education in Nigeria, organised by the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE), a World Bank assisted project of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The programme was designed to reach over 25 million children, including nine million adolescent girls across 18 states of the federation.
The minister said the decision of the government to collaborate with both the traditional and religious leaders was in recognition of their unique and influential positions in the society.
According to him, the nearness of both traditional and religious leaders to the people has put them at the vantage position of driving social change, particularly in education.
He maintained that the government needed the support of traditional and religious leaders to advocate for girls’ education, engage communities, and reorient societal attitudes.
“Traditional and faith leaders serve as gatekeepers to all our communities and as a result, this necessitates consultation and engagements with these distinguished group of Nigerians in order to get their views and secure their buy-in.
“They are crucial in educating members of their communities and congregations positively especially the youths to champion the cause of attitudinal changes among the people to achieve the desired development and transformation of the government programmes and initiatives that will promote girl child education.
“This is where your leadership is indispensable. By leading sensitisation campaigns, organising community events, and serving on advocacy committees, you can drive the attitudinal changes needed to make girls’ education a priority in every home. We trust that at the conclusion of this conference, you will take up this challenge and work closely with the ministry to achieve our shared vision.
“Educating the girl-child is not just an educational goal, it is a moral, cultural, and national obligation. By educating our daughters, we are securing the future of our nation,” he said.
Alausa further explained that collaboration with traditional and religious leaders on girls’ education became paramount given that, “they help integrate cultural and moral values and are prime movers in influencing local attitudes towards education, supporting heritage preservation and promoting morality.”
“You are not only custodians of culture and faith but also bridges between the government policies and community realities.
“You are also in a position to raise awareness and champion the cause of girls education.
“By leveraging your platforms, you can inspire parents to embrace the transformative power of education for their daughters. Moreover, your advocacy can help dismantle entrenched myths, cultural barriers, and negative social norms that hinder educational access for girls,”he told his guests.
The minister noted that beyond advocacy, “traditional and religious leaders can mobilise resources, foster collaboration between the government and communities, and support initiatives that bring educational opportunities closer to under-served areas.”
“You can also serve as role models, inspiring a new generation to value knowledge and pursue education as a means of empowerment,”he further told them.
Reiterating the commitment of the government to create conducive atmosphere for education, the minister said educating the girl-child is a national priority.
According to him, “education remains the most effective vehicle for building a sustainable and equitable society. For this reason, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has placed education at the heart of its Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The President’s vision of reducing the out-of-school population, particularly among girls, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
“The Federal Ministry of Education in furtherance of the President’s agenda has launched the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) as a strategic response to address the systemic challenges facing our education sector. NESRI prioritizes the education of the girl child, recognizing it as pivotal to reducing the alarming number of out-of-school children and achieving national development goals.
“The Ministry is also advancing key programs like the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), which is specifically designed to enhance educational access and opportunities for girls in 18 states across the federation. This initiative reflects our determination to ensure that no girl is left behind in our quest to build a brighter future for all Nigerians.
“Despite these efforts, we are aware of the significant barriers that persist.
“Many girls remain out of school due to poverty, child labor, early marriage, and harmful cultural practices. It is disheartening to see girls hawking on the streets or working as domestic helps instead of sitting in classrooms where their potential can be unlocked.
“The girl-child thus becomes more vulnerable to extortion, child labour and personal life hazards, threats and violence. Regardless of free and compulsory basic education programmes, many barriers keep girls from accessing education.
“This is why our collective effort is crucial. While the federal and state governments continue to play their roles, we need the support of traditional and religious leaders to advocate for girl education, engage communities, and reorient societal attitudes.
“The commitment of stakeholders like your distinguished personalities will be instrumental in creating an environment where girls can thrive and excel.”
Speaking further, the minister said, “For Nigeria to achieve its educational and development goals, we must move beyond policies and programs.”
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“Continuous advocacy, sensitization, and community engagement are essential. Parents, women, youth, and all segments of society must see the education of the girl child as a shared responsibility and a moral imperative,” he added.
The World Bank Country Director, Ndiame Diop, highlighted the importance of girls’ education in Nigeria, acknowledging the significant challenges of high dropout rates, early marriages, and teenage pregnancies.
Diop noted that with the project over four million children, including 2.2 million girls, have already benefited from improved facilities, with thousands of schools upgraded.
He attributed the success of the project to the critical support of traditional and community leaders, whose advocacy ensured that these initiatives are impactful.
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