One in Four Nigerian Girls Is Out of School, UNICEF Warns

UNICEF warns that one in four girls in Nigeria is out of school and nearly three-quarters do not acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills. At an International Day of the Girl Child commemoration in Abuja, UNICEF Education Officer Blessing Afuwai cited poverty, insecurity, unsafe learning environments and harmful cultural practices as barriers that also expose girls to child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and gender-based violence. Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education renewed its commitment to improving girls’ access, retention and completion, including through safer learning spaces, menstrual hygiene support and scholarships.