The Importance Of Educating The Nigerian Girl

Written by Oreofe Omisope

The girl-child, for as long as can be remembered, has constantly received the short end of the stick in virtually every aspect of life, and education has not been an exception. I once read that there is no stronger pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated woman. The result of this is that a country that consistently ignores the importance of educating the girl child will most likely continue to suffer setbacks in nearly all areas.

To properly dissect this topic, it is important to note that the definition of education in our age and time is not limited to going to school and getting a degree. It includes acquiring information in various spheres which could be political, social, financial, or otherwise. It is fundamental that every human being regardless of gender, race or age has the right to get an education. However, in Nigeria today, despite fledgling efforts, especially by individuals and NGO’s, the girl-child has still not been able to truly win the fight of getting the proper education they deserve. In fact, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Kano, Rahama Farah said earlier this year that in Nigeria, there are 18.5 million children who are out of school and 60 percent of these children are girls. The Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey in 2013 also revealed that 40.4 percent of females, as opposed to the 29.5 percent of males, have never attended schools.

All these statistics are disheartening considering the numerous benefits associated with educating the girl child. When the girl child is properly educated, there is a higher chance that she will be independent financially. She will also be politically active and of benefit to herself and her country. In addition, in countries where girl child education is considered paramount and treated as such, the overall performance of government sectors, including education, healthcare, economics, amongst others, experience a significant increase. This is the case in many first-world countries.

Exciting as all the benefits of educating the girl child are, many factors continue to militate its prospect in Nigeria. One of such factors is finance. It is not news that many African countries, including Nigeria, have a majority of its citizens living below poverty line (a dollar per day). Because of this, the added cost of getting an education for the girl child; who ‘would still end up in her husband’s house’, is not a welcome thought. Many such families will rather gather what money they have to send the male-child in the family to school, since he will be regarded as the ‘breadwinner’. This is another fact that has not helped the chances of the girl child being able to acquire an education — this favoring of the male child over the female. Even in a family where the parents or guardian desires to send their girl child to school, lack of funds will still prove a formidable challenge.

In Nigeria another major issue that stands as a threat to the education of the girl child is early child marriage. In the Northern part of Nigeria especially, it is commonplace that young girls are given in marriage to older men. Many of these girls find their education cut off, that is if they had any access to an education in the first place. Another problem similar to the aforementioned is that of child labor. Because of lack of money, many families resort to making their girl child work for money. Oftentimes the working conditions are not favourable for these girls, and getting an education becomes out of the question.

Perhaps the most pressing problem is the lack of proper infrastructure. The educational system which is available does not really take the girl child into consideration, such that even if the girl child is getting an education, she is not getting the best there is as opposed to the male child.

In the midst of so many problems, it is imperative that solutions be proffered. One thing that will make education more accessible to the girl child is ensuring that education is free, at least at the basic education level, as stipulated in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). This way parents will see no harm in letting their girls attend. Also, the educational system and environment should be tailored to favor the girl child. There is nothing flattering about a teacher who constantly makes subtle or overt comments about girls being unsuited to be in school since they would still become brides anyway. The school should be a place of getting rid of unhealthy bias, and the girl child should not have to face such in learning environments.

In addition, the government should mete out punishments to parents and guardians who deter their girl-children from attending school especially at the Basic Education level — where it is free. On the flip side, there should be incentives put in place which will encourage the girl child to go to school. These incentives could be in form of scholarships, free food, free educational materials and so on.

Going further, the ideology that it is not a worthy investment to give the girl child an education should be eradicated. All children, both of the male and female gender deserve an equal right to education that nobody should take away from them.

Michelle Obama put it simply by saying, “when girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” The quest to educate the girl child is one that is beneficial to us all and as such, we should all pursue it with doggedness.

Oreofe is a 17 year old feminist and believer. She writes, debates, and has stinted briefly on the radio. In her free time, she reads on anything and everything, and binge watches dramas. You can connect with Oreofe on Facebook.

Edited by Chizulu E. Uwolloh

Zulu, named after Zulu Shofola, is a writer, avid movie watcher, and self-proclaimed bibliophile. She is proud to call herself a feminist and when she’s not editing for Sisterly HQ and watching travel vlogs on YouTube, she’s trying to save the world in her own little way. Connect with Zulu on Instagram and LinkedIn

Published by Yetunde Onafuye

Yetunde is a storyteller, podcaster, and a graduate student with interest in the social and political history of post-independence Africa. She’s also the co-lead editor at Sisterly HQ. In her free time, she reads and reviews books, engages in social volunteering, and watches tons of dramas and TV shows. Connect with Yetunde on LinkedIn and Instagram.