Nigerian governors move to tackle challenges in girl-child education 

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has said it was working towards addressing the challenges facing girl-child education in the country

NGF Head of Education Department Dr. Ebenezer Leo, in a statement on Thursday disclosed that the forum was planning an international conference on girl-child education on October 10 and 11.

The conference with the theme, “Girl Child Empowerment Through Quality Education,” aligned with the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution 66/170, which was adopted on December 19, 2011, that established the International Day of the Girl Child. 

The statement noted: “This conference reaffirms NGF’s commitment to addressing the challenges that girls face in Nigeria, particularly in education,” he said.

Dr. Leo stated that the NGF has identified three primary areas of focus aimed at enhancing resource management, improving educational outcomes, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders on key education policies. 

“These initiatives are essential to aligning state governments’ urgent educational needs with the challenges of governance, funding, inadequate infrastructure, low enrollment rates, and a lack of qualified teachers. 

“These issues have significantly hampered educational attainment and limited opportunities for youth, especially for girls in Nigeria,” he added.

He stated that the NGF education department initiated education policy research and development team, which he said is dedicated to supporting the formulation and implementation of evidence-based education policies that meet national and international standards. 

According to him, the work includes conducting research to inform policy decisions, strengthening education information systems, and improving the quality and availability of educational data. 

Dr. Leo added that the engagement with various stakeholders is a crucial aspect of the effort to ensure that educational policies are both relevant and effective.

He disclosed that at the international conference the Girl Child Education Volunteers’ Advocates (GICEVA) initiative will be launched, adding that it is a platform designed to engage volunteers in advocating for girl child education across Nigeria. 

“The conference will also unveil the Face of the Girl Child Ambassadors, who will represent the commitment to girl child education among corp members (NYSC) in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” he said.

The objectives of the conference, Dr. Leo stated include the official launch of GICEVA, aims at mobilising volunteers through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Community Development Service (CDS) groups to promote girl-child enrollment in local governments across Nigeria. 

He said the unveiling of the Face of the Girl-Child Ambassadors was to celebrate the academic successes of top graduates, empowering them to advocate for girls’ education in their states, with coordination provided by an overall ambassador for a one-year term.

He disclosed that at the conference that a Declaration on Education Funding would be signed by the state Commissioners of Education, affirming their commitment to support and fund girl-child education in Nigeria up to the Senior Secondary School level.