The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the state of girls’ education in Nigeria, revealing that one in every four girls remains out of school, while nearly three-quarters lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
The agency warned that poverty, insecurity, unsafe learning environments, and harmful cultural practices continue to prevent millions of girls from accessing quality education, exposing them to risks including child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and gender-based violence.
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 said Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to education had yet to translate into equal opportunities for millions of girls, whose aspirations for education, economic independence, and leadership remain constrained by persistent barriers.
She explained that financial hardship forces some families to withdraw their daughters from school, while insecurity and learning environments that fail to address girls’ safety and welfare needs further worsen the situation.
The UNICEF official warned that denying girls access to education and skills development significantly reduces their chances of securing employment, achieving economic independence, and participating meaningfully in society.
She urged governments, communities, and development partners to bridge the gap between girls’ aspirations and the realities they face, stressing the need for coordinated action to ensure that every girl can enrol in school, acquire relevant skills, and complete her education.
Afuwai reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with the Federal Government to improve access to inclusive and quality education under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, launched by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
The Federal Ministry of Education also renewed its commitment to addressing gender disparities, expanding educational opportunities for girls, and creating safer and more inclusive learning environments nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry’s leadership, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olatunji-David Olubanke Folake, said the government was strengthening policies and programmes aimed at improving girls’ enrolment, retention, transition, and completion rates.
She disclosed that the government was implementing the National Policy on Gender Education and collaborating with development partners and nongovernmental organisations to expand safe learning spaces, provide menstrual hygiene support, and offer scholarships to encourage school attendance.
According to her, government interventions also integrate education with healthcare, protection, and empowerment to address the broader 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 initiatives designed to improve educational opportunities and equip girls with relevant skills.
The ministry also pledged to expand girls’ access to secondary and tertiary education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while promoting digital literacy, leadership development, vocational training, and life skills.
It further promised to strengthen policies protecting girls against gender-based violence and ensure their voices are represented in decisions affecting their education and future.
Addressing the girls at the event, the Permanent Secretary encouraged them to believe in their abilities, pursue their ambitions, and recognise the importance of their voices.
She called on parents, communities, faith-based organisations, educators, donors, and the private sector to work together to ensure that girls are safe, educated, respected, and empowered.
Earlier, the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, said the International Day of the Girl Child should serve as a call to action rather than a symbolic celebration.
Ibrahim described girls as potential scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, peacemakers, and future leaders whose contributions are essential to national development.
He urged stakeholders to eliminate gender discrimination, early and forced marriage, sexual harassment, and other practices that prevent girls from remaining in school and achieving their ambitions.
The director also called on teachers to mentor and support girls facing educational challenges, while encouraging students to develop confidence and aspire to leadership positions across different sectors.
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.
Participants at the event stressed that Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive development would remain difficult unless girls were given equal opportunities to learn, acquire skills, and participate fully in society.