The alarming revelation by the World Bank that 45% of Nigerian girls drop out of school and become mothers before the age of 18 is a national disgrace and a damning indictment of our nation’s failure to protect and educate its daughters. This grim statistic is not just a number; it represents countless shattered dreams and young lives derailed, aspirations crushed, and potentials squandered. It portrays a government that has woefully failed its youth, especially girls, whose futures are lost to systemic negligence, patriarchal oppression, and misguided governance. The Nigerian government must wake up from its slumber and prioritize the education of its girls. Anything less is a betrayal of our collective future and a moral failing that history will not forgive. Enough of the empty platitudes.
Speaking at the National Conference on Girls’ Education and Empowerment in Abuja, Monday, the World Bank Country Director, Ndiame Diop, who was represented by the Deputy Country Director, Taimur Samad, said: “Over two-thirds of girls in Nigeria drop out of school before junior secondary. Thirty-five per cent are married by the age of 15, and 45 per cent give birth before the age of 18.”
It is appalling that in the year 2025, over two-thirds of Nigerian girls drop out of school before even completing junior secondary education. Thirty-five percent of Nigerian women are married off before the age of 15, and 45% give birth before the age of 15, thrust into adulthood and denied the opportunity to realize their potential. This places Nigeria among the countries with the highest rates of child marriage globally. Such practices not only rob young girls of their childhood but also expose them to severe health risks, including complications from early pregnancies and heightened vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections. How can a nation claim progress when its daughters are being robbed of their childhood and basic rights to education?
The prevalence of child sexual abuse further exacerbates the plight of Nigerian girls. Studies indicate that Africa has the highest prevalence rate of child sexual abuse at around 34.4%, with Nigeria contributing significantly to these distressing figures. The psychological trauma resulting from such abuse leads to long-term mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The consequences of these systemic failures are far-reaching. Early marriages and sexual abuse disrupt girls’ education, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and dependence. Uneducated girls are less likely to contribute meaningfully to society, and their lack of empowerment stifles national development.
This abysmal state of affairs underscores the government’s complete dereliction of its constitutional duty to provide free and compulsory basic education for all children, as enshrined in the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act. Despite years of rhetoric and superficial reforms, Nigeria remains a country where early marriage, child labor, and harmful cultural practices persist unchecked, stunting the intellectual and socio-economic growth of half its population.
It is unconscionable that nearly two decades after the enactment of the Child Rights Act, which criminalizes marriage before the age of 18, such practices remain rampant. The government’s inertia in enforcing these laws is nothing short of a betrayal of our young girls. We must demand immediate and decisive action from our leaders. This includes the rigorous enforcement of existing laws against child marriage and sexual abuse, substantial investment in girls’ education, and comprehensive support systems for victims of abuse. Traditional and religious leaders must also be mobilized to champion the rights of girls within their communities.
The statistics presented by Ndiame Diop, the World Bank Country Director, are not just alarming; they are shameful. The fact that poverty and harmful traditions continue to keep girls out of school points to the government’s inability or unwillingness to protect its most vulnerable citizens. Education Minister, Tunji Alausa’s acknowledgment of these issues is nothing more than lip service without decisive action. Equally troubling is the complacency of traditional and religious leaders who should be at the forefront of championing girl-child education. These leaders wield immense influence over community norms and behaviors, yet many remain complicit in perpetuating regressive practices that keep girls out of school.
Senator Lawal Usman’s push to amend the Basic Education Act is commendable, but legislative changes alone will not solve the crisis. What is urgently needed is a robust, well-funded national strategy that not only expands the scope of initiatives like the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project but also ensures its effective implementation. Every state, without exception, must be included. Moreover, it is high time the government took a hard stance against practices that undermine the rights and well-being of girls. This includes enforcing existing laws against child marriage and child labor, ensuring safe and conducive learning environments, and providing financial incentives for families to keep their daughters in school.
President Bola Tinubu must be told in whatever language he understands that the education of girls is not a charitable cause but an indispensable pillar of national development. The economic, social, and cultural prosperity of this nation hinges on an educated female population. Educated girls grow up to become empowered women who contribute meaningfully to society and break the vicious cycle of poverty. The time for platitudes has passed. Our nation’s future hinges on the empowerment and education of our girls. We can no longer afford to stand by as their dreams are shattered and their rights trampled. The government must act now to rectify this grave injustice and secure a brighter future for all citizens. We demand action. We demand accountability. And we demand it now.
