Girl Child Education in North West Geo Political Zone of Nigeria: Issue of Access and Retention in Tertiary Institution

Ishaka Umar Tsoho (Ph.D.); Nasiru Bala

Department of Educational Foundation, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto

INTRODUCTION

Girl child education in northern Nigeria has been put to dilemma by some socio cultural, religious and economic factors ranging from Early marriage, poverty, street hawking, sexual harassment e.t.c.

UNICEF (2024) reported that, contemporarily, Insecurity, Lack of role model, drug abuse had been among some bedeviling issues that virtually devastated educational pursuit in this region. In North eastern part of the country, activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, e.t.c has caused a lot of destruction of many learning centers, conquering female schools resulting in the abduction of hundreds of female students and the like.  In North western part, Female schools has been the primary target of bandits where hundred number female students were abducted from schools like FGGC Birnin Yauri, FUG Gusau e.t.c.

This menace has been the reason for some girls and even parents for loss of interest in enrolling, retaining and pursuing education to tertiary level.  Fear of abduction, molestation and ransom payment contributed a lot in creating psychological instability among girl child students and their parents. This paper attempts to expose some institutional barriers that girl child access and retention in tertiary institutions in north western part of the country over and above other barriers of socio cultural, economic, religious and traditional factors.

Tertiary Institutions in North West Geo Political Zone

North western geo political zone in Nigeria has the largest population in the country. (Nwabra, 2019) It comprises seven states each one of which is a host of many tertiary institutions. Federal Universities, state owned universities and private universities, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Monotechnics. This highly populated region is blessed with high percentage of women over men. (National Bureau of Statistics)

Tertiary institutions in North western Nigeria comprising Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara Sokoto and Kebbi state have about 152 higher institutions (NUC/NBTE/NCCE) 2024 combined report.  

Some Important Aspects of Girl Child Education

According to Koris, Steven and paul, (2022) the importance of girl child education could not be overemphasized the most important of which includes:

1. Self Actualisation and Skill Development: Education should empower girls with life skills, critical thinking, leadership abilities, and knowledge about their rights and opportunities. Individuals and countries benefit from girls’ education. Educated women tend to be more informed about nutrition and healthcare, have fewer children, marry at a later age, and their children are usually healthier, should they choose to become mothers. They are more likely to participate in the formal labour market and earn higher incomes.

2 Gender sensitive Curriculum: Developing gender-sensitive curricula that consider the specific needs of girls and challenge gender stereotypes.

3. Educational Access: Ensuring girls have equal opportunities to attend school and receive quality education free from barriers like cultural norms, economic hardship, or gender-based discrimination.

4. Gender-Friendly Learning Environment: Providing safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where girls can learn without fear of violence, harassment, or discrimination. Girls’ education goes beyond getting girls into school. It is also about ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in school; have the opportunity to complete all levels of education, acquire the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market; gain socio-emotional and life skills necessary to navigate and adapt to a changing world; make decisions about their own lives; and contribute to their communities and the world.

5. Retention and Completion: Efforts to keep girls in school, ensuring they complete their education and progress through different educational levels.

6. Socio-Economic Benefits: Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, have fewer children, and raise healthier, more educated children, thereby contributing to national economic and social progress.

Importance of Girls’ Education

Khan Q. (2014) stressed that Girls' education is essential for fostering sustainable development, reducing poverty, and promoting gender equality. Every child should be allowed to be educated irrespective of gender as both sexes can bring equal growth and contribution to society. According to an African proverb, “If you educate a boy, you educate one person but if you educate a girl, you educate a family and nation”. An empowered woman is full of great potential, strength, courage, and knowledge which she passes down to society. This will empower and improve productivity in the society. Educating girls uplifts an individual and empowers entire communities. When a woman receives education in her youth, it creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond her. Educated women are less likely to experience teen pregnancies, leading to a cycle of empowerment that benefits both women and their communities. Education enables girls to challenge societal norms, advocate for their rights, and promote gender equality. The following are some of the points buttressing some importance of girl child education:

1. Curving Early Marriage and Gender-Based Violence: Girls with education are less likely to be married off at an early age, which often exposes them to domestic violence and limits their personal growth. Education provides them with knowledge and resources to make informed life choices.

2. Poverty Reduction: Educating girls leads to a ripple effect across generations. Educated mothers are more likely to send their children, especially girls, to school, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality in families and communities. According to an International Labor Organization report, “Educating girls has proven to be one of the most important ways of breaking poverty cycles and is likely to have significant impacts on access to formal jobs in the longer term”.

3. Better Health and living condition: Educating girls leads to healthier families. Educated women are more likely to make informed health decisions, reduce child mortality, and improve family nutrition. They are also more likely to delay marriage and have fewer, healthier children. Girl’s education also helps cut children and maternal mortality rates, contributing to national wealth and controlling disease and health status.

4. Improved Civic Participation: Educated girls are more likely to be engaged in civic activities, leadership roles, and policy-making. This enhances their ability to advocate for their rights and contribute to peaceful and democratic societies. Education helps women to gain the skills needed to take on leadership roles at local and national levels. Educated women are more likely to join bodies, whether volunteer or elected, where they can take part in making decisions that affect their lives and those of their communities. Education also increases women’s involvement in the political process as an educated woman can participate in politics and contribute effectively to the governance of society.

5. Social Empowerment, Equality, and Development of life skills: Education empowers girls to challenge societal norms that limit their opportunities, promoting gender equality. It gives them the confidence to participate in decision-making processes in their homes, communities, and beyond. Educated girls develop essential life skills, including self-confidence, the ability to participate effectively in society, and protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, and sexual exploitation. When girls go to school, they grow into women who have more say over their lives and have an increased sense of their worth and capabilities. They are less likely to be subjected to domestic violence and will participate more in decision-making in households.

6. Economic Growth: Educated girls are more likely to contribute to the economy by participating in the workforce. Studies show that for every additional year of schooling, a girl's future earnings can increase by 10-20%. This enhances national economic growth and reduces poverty. Education for girls and boys increases productivity and contributes to economic growth. Globally, women are not in the formal job market as much as men but many studies show there are economic benefits if they are allowed to join the labour force. A woman with an education can gets a better job with higher wages which has the effect of addressing gender imbalances in the labour force. Increased levels of education have a greater positive impact on women’s wages.

Issue of Access and Retention of Girl Child in Educational Institutions in Nigeria

Access and retention are significant concerns in educational institutions, particularly in higher education. World-Bank, (2024) portrayed that the issue arises when institutions struggle to balance increasing access to education with retaining students and ensuring they complete their academic program. Ahmed AS, Muhammad MB and Omache C.O. (2024) came up with the following suggestions:

Key Challenges

Access: Institutions face pressure to accommodate growing numbers of students, including those from diverse background, many students may not be adequately prepared for the demands of higher education leading to potential retention issues.

Retention: Institutions must implement effective strategies to support students and help them overcome academic, financial and social challenges that might lead to dropout.

Factors Influencing Retention

Jasmine Owen (2025) narrated some factors that aids girl child retention in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and northern region particularly the north west some of which he itemized thus:

-     Academic Support: Providing adequate academic resources such as torturing and advising is crucial for students’ success.  

-     Financial Barriers: Financial constraints can significantly impact students retention making it essential for institution to offer financial assistance and literacy programs.

-     Social Integration: Fostering a sense of community and correction among students can help improve retentions.

Strategies for Improvement

-     Early Intervention: Identifying at-risk students’ early and providing targeted support can help improve retention.

-     Personalised support: Offering tailored resources and academic advising can help students stay on track.

-     Data-driven Decision Making: Finalizing students’ feedback and data can help institutions make informed decision to improve retention.

By addressing these challenges and implementing effective strategies, educational institutions can help improve both access and retention ultimately enhancing students’ success and institutional sustainability. 

CONCLUSION

The girl child education in Nigeria remains a critical issue that requires concerted efforts from the government, civil society, local communities, and international partners. Despite notable progress, significant challenges persist, including cultural barriers, financial constraints, and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. While the legal framework for the enforcement of girl-child education in Nigeria is comprehensive, it requires stronger implementation to address the barriers that girls face in accessing education. Legal instruments such as the Child Rights Act, the Universal Basic Education Act, and the National Gender Policy provide a solid foundation, but effective enforcement remains a significant challenge. To overcome these obstacles, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with communities, civil society, and international organizations, must take concerted action. A holistic approach, which includes legal reform, community involvement, and targeted investments, is essential. By investing in the education of girls, Nigeria can unlock the potential of millions of young women who can drive sustainable development and lead the nation toward a more equitable future. Ensuring that all girls have access to quality education is not only a legal and moral imperative but a vital step toward achieving a more prosperous and gender-equal Nigeria.

Recommendation

The paper put forward the following recommendations:

Community leaders, religious organizations, and local influencers play a critical role in shaping societal attitudes. Awareness campaigns should be intensified to shift cultural norms that discourage girls' education.

Infrastructure improvements are essential to ensure schools are safe and accessible to girls. This includes providing adequate sanitation facilities, safe transportation to school, and gender-sensitive learning environments. Schools should be equipped with separate toilets for girls, and security should be a priority, especially in areas affected by insurgency and kidnapping.

Strengthening laws that prevent child marriage, female genital mutilation, and other harmful cultural practices that hinder girls’ education is critical. The government should ensure the strict enforcement of these laws and provide support services, such as counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation, for victims.

The government should introduce new policies and effectively enforce policies that eliminate gender-based violence and sexual harassment in schools.

Establishing mentorship programs where young girls are paired with successful women who can serve as role models is vital. These programs can inspire girls to continue their education by providing guidance and emotional support. Additionally, the hiring of more female teachers, particularly in rural areas, would help create a supportive environment that encourages girls to stay in school.

Utilizing digital platforms for e-learning can help reach girls in remote and underserved areas. The government should invest in expanding internet access and providing digital tools to facilitate remote learning, especially in areas where traditional schooling may be inaccessible. This would allow girls who are unable to attend school physically to continue their education and reduce dropout rates.

It is essential for governments at all levels to make a concerted effort to alleviate poverty at the grassroots level, as this will significantly address the financial barriers that prevent parents from sending their girl children to school. By reducing poverty, families will be better equipped to prioritize education, particularly for girls, and ensure their access to quality schooling.

REFERENCES

1.   Nwabara, j. A: ”The Inadequecy of Security provision in securing northern educational institutions”

2.   Koris A, Steven S, Akika V, Puls C, Okoro C, Bitrus D, Seff I, Deitch J, Stark L.                               “ Opportunities and challenges in preventing violence against adolescent girls through gender transformative”, whole-family support programming in Northeast Nigeria. Conflict and health. 2022.

3.   Ahmed AS, Muhammad MB, Omache C.O. “Impact of Banditry on Girl-Child Education in Conflict Affected Regions: A Case Study of Katsina State, Nigeria. American Journal of Development Studies” 2024.

4.   Heckman JJ. The economics of inequality: The value of early childhood education. American Educator. 2011

5.   Khan Q. Role of education in promoting peace, sustainable development and global citizenship. Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. 2014:9-24.

6.   Jasmine Owen, “Girls' education: Facts and how to help”, World Vision Canada, https://www.worldvision.ca/stories/education/girls-education-facts-and-how-to-help, (2023). Retrieved April 25, 2025.

7.   UNICEF, (2024), “Girls’ education, Gender equality in education benefits every child”, UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/education/girls-education, Accessed September 25, 2024.

8.   World-Bank, (2024), “Girls’ Education”, World-Bank Group, https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducation, Accessed September 25, 2024.