According to UNICEF – Nigeria has 15% out of school-age children worldwide
Nigeria is home to 15% of all out-of-school children worldwide, according to information released by UNICEF on Wednesday.
Additionally, it was mentioned that 7.6 million Nigerian girls, many of them are from the northern areas, still do not have access to education.
This was revealed by Ms. Cristian Munduate, the country representative for UNICEF Nigeria, at a celebration held in Kano to honor this year’s International Day of the Girl.
Ms. Munduate expressed concern about the concerning statistics, but she insisted that they should not be interpreted as mere numbers but rather as a warning to the authorities to take action to stop the threat.
According to her: “A frightening 15% of children globally do not attend school; this includes Nigeria.” However, just 9% of the poorest girls are able to go to secondary school.
This is a wake-up call, not just a statistic.
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In actuality, 7.6 million Nigerian girls—many of them are from the northern areas—remain deprived of these exact chances. Their goals are postponed for the time being, and their seats in classes stay empty. Their adolescent fertility rate is skyrocketing, making them susceptible to early childbearing.
Kano is the second-most out-of-school girl in Nigeria, indicating a stark inequality in educational opportunities.
“Since its establishment by the United Nations in 2012, the International Day of the Girl Child has sought to draw attention to and tackle the issues that girls around the world face. More than ever, we must highlight the transformative potential of education as a means of actively ending cycles of poverty in addition to creating possibilities.
But even in the middle of these difficulties, there are signs of hope. Reliable models like as the Girls‘ Education Project 3, which has received considerable backing from the UK and UNICEF, have helped states like Kano to return 1.5 million girls to school in just two years. This is the way forward, the way that would see every Nigerian girl kid educated.
“My request is simple as we commemorate the International Day of the Girl in 2023. To all concerned Nigerians, including parents, stakeholders, traditional institutions, communities, and the government, let us promise to create a nation where every girl can achieve her aspirations.
“Our daughters need more, even though education is the cornerstone. We can help them become important members of our society by providing healthcare, opportunities for skill development, and a variety of other resources.
“Let’s stand up for our girls’ rights and self-determination together. Let’s take down obstacles, provide guidance, and create an atmosphere that will allow them to flourish.
“UNICEF is steadfast in the pursuit of its goals. However, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative Ms. Cristian Munduate insisted, “We will continue to engage with leaders, partners, and stakeholders to amplify our investment in the welfare of our girls, particularly as they face the brunt of conflicts, natural disasters, and the ever-looming threat of climate change.”
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