Girl-Child Day: Call for Education Reforms

The Urgent Need for Reforms in Girl-Child Education and Youth Employment

As the world observes the International Day of the Girl Child, a pressing concern has emerged regarding the state of girl-child education and youth unemployment in Nigeria. Advocacy groups have raised alarms over the deepening crisis, highlighting the need for immediate reforms to address these challenges.

The Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network (CJAN) has emphasized that the situation is not just an educational issue but a broader economic and social crisis. According to Ajayi Taiwo, the Managing Director of CJAN, millions of Nigerian girls are being denied access to quality education and equal opportunities. This neglect poses a serious threat to the nation’s growth and development.

Taiwo pointed out that according to UNICEF, over 7.6 million girls in Nigeria are currently out of school, with 3.9 million at the primary level and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level. These figures highlight a systemic failure exacerbated by factors such as early marriage, gender-based violence, poverty, and insecurity, especially in the northern part of the country.

“The numbers are alarming. When over seven million girls are out of school, it is not just an education problem, it is an economic and social crisis. No country can achieve sustainable development when a significant portion of its female population is left behind,” Taiwo stated.

CJAN also cited a World Bank report indicating that over 66 percent of the nation’s girls drop out before completing junior secondary school. Taiwo explained that the absence of retention-focused interventions is widening gender inequality. He further referenced data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that youth unemployment stands at 6.5 percent, with the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) rate at 14.4 percent among youths aged 15 to 24. Notably, females recorded a higher rate than their male counterparts.

These statistics underscore the urgency for government and stakeholders to move from talk to action. CJAN has proposed a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at empowering girls through education, mentorship, and post-service opportunities to bridge existing gaps.

Key Recommendations for Reform

Among CJAN’s key recommendations are:

• Integration of digital literacy, coding, and entrepreneurship training into school curricula and National Youth Service Corps skill acquisition programmes. This would equip girls with essential skills for the modern workforce.
• Establishment of mentorship and safe reporting channels for female corps members and adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas. These initiatives aim to provide support and create safe spaces for girls to voice their concerns.
• Creation of post-service empowerment schemes to provide start-up grants and business incubation support for female ex-corp members. This would help them transition into meaningful employment or entrepreneurial ventures.

CJAN’s call for action highlights the critical role of education in fostering national development. By addressing the root causes of girl-child education and youth unemployment, Nigeria can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.