VP Shettima calls for urgent action on girl child education in Nigeria

…urges traditional and religious leaders, CSOs, and private sector to lead charge

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has underscored the urgent need to prioritize girl child education in Nigeria, calling for a unified, multi-sectoral response to dismantle gender-based barriers to quality education across the country.

Speaking at the International Conference on Girl Child Education held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President stressed the importance of ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of gender or location, has access to quality education.

Shettima’s address, delivered by his representative, Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), emphasized that the future of the nation depends on educating its young girls.

“The dignity of the girl child defines every civilization,” Shettima said, urging government bodies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and international development partners to join forces in tackling the barriers to girl child education. He argued that stakeholders across various sectors must champion policies that create safe and supportive environments for girls to thrive academically.

Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, issued a statement at the event, reiterating the Vice President’s call to action. “Policymaking involves all of us. We must engage local leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures to understand the grave implications of failing to educate the future of this nation,” Shettima said.

The Vice President made a passionate plea to donor partners, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and other multilateral organizations, to support initiatives aimed at ensuring every girl has access to quality education. He emphasized that addressing this issue is critical to the nation’s progress.

“Today, we are bound by a duty higher than simply acknowledging the challenges before us. We bear the responsibility of setting the tone for this nation. Prioritizing the education of the girl child and other vulnerable children is essential. The consequences of failing to do so will be dire,” Shettima cautioned.

The Vice President cited alarming statistics on out-of-school children, noting the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) which highlights the severity of the problem

“Each child left behind is a liability that the nation will one day pay for,” Shettima warned. He added that the growing number of out-of-school children poses significant risks to society, stressing the need for creative and innovative solutions to address the issue.

Shettima acknowledged that while the education of girls is a global challenge, the vulnerability of girls in Nigeria—especially in the northern regions—is particularly stark. “Her education is not just a moral obligation; it is the stabilizing force of our economic and social order. For every additional year a girl spends in school, her earning potential increases, infant mortality rates decrease, and poverty levels fall in her community,” he said.

The Vice President also highlighted progress made, pointing to the Gender Parity Index, which shows that girls have nearly caught up with boys at the primary school level, with a ratio of 0.99, and have even surpassed boys at the secondary school level, with a ratio of 1.08.

However, he warned that these gains are fragile and at risk unless interventions are strengthened, particularly in regions where educational barriers remain deeply entrenched.

Shettima reassured the audience that the National Economic Council (NEC), which he chairs, has made education a critical pillar of its Human Capital Development Programme.

“Alongside health, nutrition, and employability, education is a central theme of our response to the gaps in human capital. We are committed to achieving a 0.6 score on the World Bank’s Human Capital Index, and this involves increasing years of schooling, improving the quality of education, and ensuring that no child—especially no girl child—is left vulnerable or out of school,” he stated.

He also pointed to the stark regional disparities in educational access, with the North West and North East regions recording the highest rates of out-of-school children.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by these frightening statistics. Now is the time to treat them as an emergency and develop state-specific action plans to address the unique challenges in each region,” Shettima concluded.