The World Bank has revealed that more than two-thirds of Nigerian girls drop out of school before reaching junior secondary education.
The bank’s Country Director, Ndiame Diop, disclosed this at the National Conference on Girls’ Education and Empowerment in Abuja on Tuesday. Represented by the Deputy Country Director, Taimur Samad, Diop highlighted the urgent need for intervention to address the barriers preventing girls from completing their education.
“Over two-thirds of girls in Nigeria drop out of school before junior secondary school. Thirty-five per cent are married by the age of 15, and 45 per cent give birth before the age of 18,” he stated.
Diop stressed the importance of collaboration among traditional and community leaders, the Federal Government, and the 18 governors participating in the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project to tackle the issue.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, also spoke at the conference, noting that poverty, child labour, early marriage, and harmful cultural practices are key factors driving the high dropout rate.
“It is disheartening to see girls hawking on the streets or working as domestic help instead of sitting in classrooms where their potential can be unlocked,” Alausa said.
He called for collective efforts, urging traditional and religious leaders to advocate for girls’ education and help reorient societal attitudes.
Despite existing free and compulsory basic education programmes, many barriers remain, making concerted action necessary to ensure that Nigerian girls complete their education and reach their full potential.
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