UNICEF Puts the Number of Nigerian Girls Not In Basic Education Level, At 7.6 Million
The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has put the number of girls in Nigeria, who are not attending Primary and Secondary Schools, at 7.6 million.
The UN agency says they represent 50 per cent of girls not attending schools at the basic education level.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Education Manager, Jutaro Sakamoto, stated this at an education conference organized by the French Institute in Abuja.
Also, he estimated the number of out of girls not in primary schools in Nigeria, at 3.9 million, and 3.7 million in secondary schools.
Sakamoto said 48 per cent of the out of school girls in Nigeria were in the North West and North East regions
He also said that Nigeria accounts for 15 per cent of the out-of-school children in the world.
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The statement added that a significant disparity exists between the poorest and the wealthiest quintiles, with only 9% of girls from the poorest backgrounds attending secondary school, compared to 81% from the richest quintile. Sakamoto expressed grave concern, stating, “If we can’t address the situation in Nigeria, we can’t solve the situation in the world.”
Also, Prof. Mufutau Tijani, a French and Applied Linguistics professor at the University of Abuja, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
He warned that the increasing number of out-of-school children is directly linked to Nigeria’s population explosion. With the nation’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, the challenges are set to intensify.
Despite the 2004 law guaranteeing free and compulsory primary education for every child in Nigeria, enforcement remains a significant issue.
Meanwhile, Prof. Tijani called on the government to enforce this law, increase education funding, and address the critical issue of family planning, especially in the northern regions.
Judikael Regnaut, the head of cooperation and cultural affairs at the French embassy, pledged the French Institute’s continued support in fostering discussions to enhance Nigerian education.
