The Importance of Girl-child Education in Northern part of Nigeria

First and foremost, it’s critical to recognize that educating females has been proven to significantly improve health outcomes. Girls who have an education are more likely to make educated choices about their own and their families’ health, which can lower the rates of maternal and infant mortality.

Given that mother and infant mortality rates in Northern Nigeria are among the highest in the world, this is an especially crucial issue.

Northern Nigeria has some of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the nation, and Nigeria accounts for about 20% of all maternal deaths worldwide. In addition to a lack of education, this is attributable in part to the fact that many women in the area have limited access to healthcare facilities. Informed decisions regarding their own and their families’ health are more likely to be made by educated girls, who are also more likely to seek medical attention when necessary. Thus, this can contribute to a decrease in maternal and infant mortality rates and an improvement in the country’s general health outcomes.

Second, a crucial element in ending the poverty cycle is education. Girls with higher levels of education are more likely to find higher-paying occupations, which can aid in lifting their families out of poverty. In Northern Nigeria, where poverty rates are high and many families struggle to make ends meet, this is especially crucial.

Almost 40% of the population of Nigeria, according to the World Bank, lives below the poverty line, making it one of the countries with the highest rates of poverty in the world. In Northern Nigeria, where many households depend on subsistence farming and encounter major economic difficulties, poverty is especially severe. By giving females the knowledge and skills they need to land better jobs and participate in society, education can help break the cycle of poverty by giving them the skills and knowledge they need to get better-paying jobs and contribute to their families’ income. This, in turn, can help lift their families out of poverty and improve their overall standard of living.

Third, educating girls is critical for promoting gender equality. In Northern Nigeria, as in many other parts of the world, girls and women face significant discrimination and are frequently denied basic rights such as access to education. We can break down these barriers and promote gender equality by educating girls.

Nigeria has one of the world’s highest rates of out-of-school children, with an estimated 10.5 million children not attending school, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Girls are especially vulnerable, with the percentage of girls who are not in school in Nigeria is around 60%. This is partly because boys’ education is prioritized above girls’ education in cultural and social conventions, but it’s also because of financial considerations including the expense of education and the requirement that girls contribute to home revenue.

We can support the elimination of these hurdles and the advancement of gender equality by educating girls. Girls who have an education can become more independent and acquire the information and abilities necessary to fully participate in society. Also, it can aid in dispelling prejudices and attitudes about women and girls. The promotion of gender equality and the development of a more just and equitable society can result from this.

Last but not least, educating girls offers larger social and economic advantages. Girls with higher levels of education are more likely to take an active role in their communities and to be engaged citizens. A positive cycle of intergenerational education and development is also created because they are more likely to raise educated children.

The World Bank estimates that each additional year of school for females can enhance their future wages by 10% to 20%, and the advantages of education can be passed on to subsequent generations.

Article by Michelle Ikaan

English Language Teacher

Canadian Bridge Academy Abuja