The Federal Government has assured continues priority of quality education of the girl-child for national development.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl-Child (IDGC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project and other key stakeholders.
Ahmad, represented by the Director, Senior Secondary Education Department, Hajiya Binta Abulkadir, said the ministry was implementing the National Policy on Gender in Basic Education, aimed at eliminating gender disparities in access, education and competition for children.
“The theme of this celebration speaks directly to our national values and aspirations. As a nation, we have taken bold steps in recent years to support the girl-child, particularly in the area of education.
“This initiative of supporting the girl has been in the history since 2012. Currently, we are implementing the National Policy on Gender in Basic Education.The Ministry has made a significant stride in the education of girls in several fields.
“With the help and assistance of NGOs, we are expanding safe learning spaces, providing instruments of support and providing scholarships and school feeding programmes for our young children.
” We are working, of course, in multiple sub-centres to develop a new approach to the better education of the girl child,” she said.
She added that the Ministry had built upon its commitment to strengthening the gender-friendly policies for the education of the girl-child, creating a world inclusive not just for men and women, and empowering the girl child.
“Most importantly, we’re listening to girls’ voices, their problem-solving and decision-making, their leadership, and to report anything they are not comfortable doing.
” We are not in this alone, we are working with parents, communities, health-based leaders, educators, donors and drivers, etc.
“Time has passed when the values of the girl-child was underestimated. But today, the value of the girl-child is highly estimated. The girl is a family supporter, a society builder, and a strong lead in both governance and policies,” she said.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of AGILE Project, Mrs Amina Haruna, said the focus of the celebration was to eliminate the challenges girls face.
She said that investment and support for girls empowerment and leadership initiative in the area of organising girls leadership, empowering girls, promoting equity, creating safe spaces shouldbe of priority.
“I urge every relevant stakeholders to put their best in addressing these unique challenges girls face, both in their education, including gender-based violence, limited access to education, early marriage and health care, which AGILE project is providing us.
“These challenges are in their voices and in their potential. Therefore, this day calls to all parents, leaders, educators, communities and government to raise our commitment to building a world where girls are safe, educated, empowered and also celebrated,” she said.
