Girl child to get attention, as Nigerian govs vow 15% budget allocation to education

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has taken a significant step towards improving the country’s education sector.

At its first international conference on girl child education, held on October 10 and 11, 2024, the 36 state governments committed to allocating at least 15% of their annual budgets to education.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara State governor and NGF chairman, emphasized the urgent need to invest in schools and address barriers to girl child education.

“Our commitment as a forum to education financing, especially girl child education funding, is unwavering across the states,” he said. “We declare our readiness to meet the international benchmark of at least 15% annual budgetary allocation to the education sector.”

This commitment aligns with the United Nations’ recommendation that member states allocate 4-6% of their GDP or 15-20% of public expenditure to education. Nigeria, like many countries, has yet to reach this threshold.

The NGF’s conference also launched the Girl Child Education Volunteers’ Advocates (GICEVA) initiative, which aims to mobilize over 774,000 volunteers across local governments to advocate for girl child education.

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, minister of women affairs, announced that the federal government will begin a drive to rescue out-of-school children from the streets starting October 15. “Picking those children from the street will allow us to have access to their parents, especially their mothers,” she said. “We have a comprehensive plan to empower these women so they can adequately care for their children.”

READ ALSO: Shettima calls for collective action on out-of-school children

Education Crisis in Nigeria

The UN reports that one in three Nigerian children is out of school, with 10.2 million at primary school level and 8.1 million at junior secondary level. Insufficient domestic finance for primary education has resulted in a shortfall of 378,000 classrooms and about 278,000 teachers.

Analysis

As AbdulRazaq noted, increasing budget allocation is just the beginning. Addressing barriers to girl child education and ensuring effective utilization of funds will require sustained effort and collaboration among stakeholders.

The federal government’s plan to rescue out-of-school children and empower their mothers is also a welcome initiative. By tackling the root causes of poverty and inequality, Nigeria can create a more inclusive and equitable education system.

Next Steps

The NGF’s commitment and the federal government’s initiatives are crucial steps towards improving Nigeria’s education sector. However, the following actions are necessary to ensure progress:

– Effective implementation: States must ensure that allocated funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.

– Addressing barriers: Stakeholders must work to address cultural, social, and economic barriers to girl child education.

– Community engagement: Initiatives like GICEVA must engage local communities to promote education and empowerment.

By working together, Nigeria can make significant strides in improving its education sector and securing a brighter future for its children.

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