The 2025 International Women’s Day theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” echoes past calls for gender equality, but in Nigeria, the path to empowerment remains obstructed by systemic challenges—chief among them, education and government policies.
Despite technological advancements, Nigeria’s education system continues to fail many girls, particularly in the north. The country has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, with 10.5 million children currently out of school, according to UNICEF. A disproportionate number of these children are girls, trapped in a cycle of poverty, early marriage, and domestic responsibilities.
In northern states, cultural and religious barriers significantly impact female education. The Almajiri system, a traditional form of Islamic education, has been widely criticized for neglecting formal schooling, leaving both boys and girls vulnerable to poverty and social marginalization. Additionally, the rise of extremist groups like Boko Haram—which literally translates to “Western education is forbidden”—has fueled fears about girls’ education, with attacks on schools and mass abductions causing widespread trauma.
Read also: Group calls for visible action towards equality, women empowerment
Recent government decisions have further complicated the issue. In states like Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi, and Kano, authorities recently ordered the shutdown of schools for Ramadan, keeping students out of classrooms for nearly a month. This has sparked outrage, with critics arguing that such policies violate children’s constitutional right to education. Historically, Muslim women in Nigeria have thrived in professional and political roles—proof that religious obligations and education can coexist. The current Minister of State for Education is a northern Muslim woman who excelled in her career because she had uninterrupted access to learning. Would she have achieved such success if she had been denied schooling during Ramadan?
To truly empower Nigerian girls, policymakers must prioritize education over regressive policies. This requires a multi-faceted approach, including increased investment in education, targeted interventions for at-risk girls, and community-driven efforts to dismantle cultural barriers. Nigeria cannot afford to let millions of girls remain uneducated. Their empowerment is not just a feminist ideal—it is an economic and social necessity.
