ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has urged all tiers of government in Nigeria to prioritize the security of the girl child.
The organization’s statement, signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, highlighted the ongoing insecurity that has cast a dark shadow over the education of young girls in Nigeria.
In the last eight years, over 1,000 children have been abducted, with at least 80% of them being girls. AAN emphasized the urgent need for the safety of girls, both within school walls and during their journeys to school. The group also pointed to the prevalence of poverty and child marriage as factors affecting girls’ education, especially in the northern regions of Nigeria.
**UNICEF Reveals Alarming Numbers of Girls Deprived of Education in Nigeria**
UNICEF has disclosed that approximately 7.6 million girls in Nigeria lack access to quality education, with a significant proportion residing in the northern regions. Nigeria accounts for 15% of out-of-school children globally, with only 9% of its poorest girls having the opportunity to attend secondary school.
UNICEF’s Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, highlighted the vast potential that lies within every girl child. However, the reality is alarming, with millions of girls being deprived of opportunities, especially in northern regions. The International Day of the Girl Child aims to shed light on these issues and empower girls to reach their full potential.
