Kaduna: In Gabari village, Kufena, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, young Halira Nuhu (not real name) is seen hawking ‘Fura da Nono’ during school hours. Despite her challenging circumstances, Nuhu dreams of becoming a doctor, but her environment limits the realization of that dream. In her community, boys are prioritized for education, while girls face early marriage or are sent to hawk.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Nuhu, at the age of 12, was married off to her cousin, a reality faced by many girls in her community. Nuhu shares, “I was married off at the age of 12, I’m now 15 and I have one son; in my tradition, parents choose spouses for their children, and girl child education is not prioritized, we go hawking.” Similarly, Saude Maude (not real name), a resident of Hanwa, Zaria, was married at 13 due to financial constraints after losing her father.
UNICEF reports that approximately 7.6 million girls in Nigeria are out of school, with significant dropout rates between primary and junior secondary levels. Poverty, early marriage, and inadequate parental support contribute to this trend. Save the Children reveals that 78 percent of girls in northern Nigeria marry before 18. In Kaduna, 25 percent of adolescent girls drop out due to early marriage and poverty.
In response, the Kaduna State Government introduced an Education Policy in 2019, including Second Chance Education (SCE) to support girls affected by early marriage or pregnancy. Supported by development partners like AGILE, SCE provides learning materials, uniforms, and conditional cash transfers. The recent validation of the Gender in Education Policy aims to address barriers affecting girls’ education.
Zainab Maina-Lukat, AGILE’s Technical Assistant, highlights the policy’s focus on practical solutions, such as establishing early childhood care centres in schools. Despite challenges, Nuhu and Maude have returned to school, pursuing dreams of becoming a doctor and a journalist, respectively. Nuhu, now in JSS one, receives support from her family, though balancing education and married life remains a challenge.
Program Director Ummi Bukar from PAGED Initiative suggests extending Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education policy to 12 years, ensuring girls remain in school longer. She calls for stronger laws, increased investment, and inclusive policies to address varied realities across states. As girls like Nuhu and Maude return to school, the necessary support systems are crucial for their success.