One in four Nigerian girls out of school — UNICEF

…urges renewed commitment to girls’ education, protection

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that one in every four Nigerian girls is out of school, while nearly three-quarters lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills, raising concerns over the state of girls’ education in the country.

UNICEF’s Education Officer in Abuja, Blessing Afuwai, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

Afuwai attributed the situation to persistent barriers, including poverty, insecurity, unsafe learning environments and harmful cultural practices, which continue to limit girls’ access to quality education and expose them to child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and gender-based violence.

She said Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to education had yet to guarantee equitable opportunities for millions of girls, whose aspirations for education, economic independence and leadership remained constrained by these challenges.

According to her, economic hardship forces some families to withdraw their daughters from school, while insecurity and inadequate learning environments further undermine girls’ ability to enrol, remain in school and complete their education.

“When girls are denied opportunities to learn and develop skills, their prospects for employment, economic empowerment and meaningful participation in society are significantly diminished,” she said.

The UNICEF official urged the government, communities and development partners to intensify efforts to bridge the gap between girls’ aspirations and the realities confronting them.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government to ensure that every girl enrols in school, acquires relevant skills and completes her education.

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Afuwai also pledged UNICEF’s continued collaboration with the government to promote equitable, inclusive and quality education through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, launched by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing gender disparities in education, improving girls’ school attendance and completion rates, and providing safer and more inclusive learning environments.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Olatunji-David Olubanke Folake, who spoke on behalf of the ministry’s leadership, said the government was strengthening policies and programmes to improve girls’ access to education, retention, transition and completion.

She said the government was implementing the National Policy on Gender Education and collaborating with development partners and non-governmental organisations to provide safe learning spaces, menstrual hygiene support and scholarships to encourage school attendance.

According to her, the government is adopting an integrated approach that combines education with health, protection and empowerment to address the multiple challenges preventing girls from reaching their full potential.

She identified the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the Lumina Project for Girls as some of the initiatives designed to expand educational opportunities and equip girls with relevant skills.

The ministry also pledged to improve girls’ access to secondary and tertiary education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while promoting digital literacy, leadership development, vocational training and life skills.

It further committed to strengthening girl-friendly policies, protecting students against gender-based violence and ensuring that girls’ voices were represented in decisions affecting their education and future.

Addressing the schoolgirls at the event, the Permanent Secretary urged them to believe in their abilities, pursue their ambitions and recognise the importance of their voices.

“You are powerful. You are valuable. You are not a burden. You are a blessing. Your dreams are valid. Your voice matters, and your future is bright,” she said.

She called on parents, community leaders, faith-based organisations, educators, donors and the private sector to work together to ensure that girls were safe, educated, respected and empowered.

Earlier, the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, described the International Day of the Girl Child as a call to action rather than a symbolic celebration.

Ibrahim said girls were not merely beneficiaries of education but potential scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, peacemakers and future leaders whose contributions were essential to national development.

He urged stakeholders to tackle gender discrimination, early and forced marriage, sexual harassment and other harmful practices that prevent girls from remaining in school and pursuing their ambitions.

The director also called on teachers to provide mentorship and support to girls facing difficulties, while encouraging students to take their education seriously, build confidence and aspire to leadership positions across different sectors.

He stressed the need to make schools safe and inclusive environments where every girl could learn, develop her talents and participate meaningfully in decision-making.

The 2026 celebration was held under the theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead,” highlighting the capacity of girls to shape their futures and contribute to national development.

The event brought together government officials, development partners, education stakeholders and schoolgirls, who called for practical interventions to improve girls’ access to education and protect their rights.

Participants stressed that Nigeria’s quest for inclusive development would remain difficult to achieve without equal educational opportunities for girls and adequate support to enable them to acquire skills and participate fully in society.