Nigeria ‘contributes significantly’ to global girl education crisis

Serah Mekka, ONE Campaign’s Nigeria director, says the country contributes significantly to the global crisis of girl child education.

“It is a global crisis that 130 million girls are not in school and Nigeria is unfortunately contributing a significant share to this,” Mekka said.

“Renewed efforts are urgently needed. Girls’ education spurs exponential positive effects on social and economic development for generations to come. Educating girls secures the future of Nigeria. #GirlsCount is uniting people to make the scale of this crisis clear and to call on leaders to act urgently.

“The ONE Campaign is asking governments for a package of funding and reforms which will make education work for every girl by 2030; urging leaders to double the global funding for girls’ education by 2020.”

ONE Campaign, an international advocacy and campaigning organisation, also disclosed that globally, 130 million girls are not in school and that because “poverty is sexist, girls in the poorest countries are less likely to receive an education than boys.”

“This means a generation of adolescent girls is being denied the education they need to get a job, broaden their opportunities, and break the cycle of poverty. A girl with an education can change the world.”

In Nigeria, Omotola Jalaide Ekeinde is the main champion for the campaign which has been backed by Amina Mohammed, UN deputy secretary general, and Oby Ezekwesili, BBBOG co-convener.