Federal Government Urges Prioritization of Girls' Education to Address Poverty and Out-of-School Children Menace

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Government of Nigeria has emphasized the importance of improving funding for girls' education to address the issues of poverty and out-of-school children. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, stated that education is the cornerstone of national development and that investing in girls' education is essential for the sustainable progress of the nation. According to the reports presented during a stakeholders meeting, some states like Jigawa have allocated up to 32% of their 2025 budget to education, while others like Borno have allocated only 13%. The Minister urged stakeholders to prioritize girls' education and increase budgetary allocation to the education sector in line with global recommendations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal Government has called on stakeholders to prioritize girls' education with improved funding to address the menace of out-of-school children and reduce poverty.
  • Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad emphasized that education is the cornerstone of national development and investing in girls' education is essential for sustainable progress.
  • The current allocation of 1.9% of the nation's GDP to education is grossly inadequate to address the challenges in the education sector.
  • Reports presented during a stakeholders meeting revealed that some states like Jigawa have allocated up to 32% of their 2025 budget to education, while others like Borno have allocated only 13%.
  • The Minister urged stakeholders to allocate 4% of the nation's GDP to education in line with global recommendations.
  • Increased funding can support interventions such as scholarships, provision of menstrual hygiene facilities, recruitment of female teachers, and safe school initiatives.

Statistics:

  • The current allocation of education in Nigeria is 1.9% of the nation's GDP.
  • Global recommendations suggest allocating 4% of the nation's GDP to education.
  • Reports revealed that Jigawa allocate up to 32% of their 2025 budget to education, while Borno allocate only 13%.
  • States with higher education budgets like Jigawa are more likely to create an enabling environment for girls to access, remain, and thrive in school.
  • 76.2% of out-of-school children are girls (Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2020).
  • In 2025, Nigeria's GDP is expected to reach $1.28 trillion (Source: World Bank, 2023).

Sources:

  • Nefcy, (2023). Reports suggest girls' education funding varies across Nigeria. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2020].
  • Fadujo Sunkanmi Ade's presentation during the stakeholders meeting.
  • The reports presented during the stakeholders meeting.