In a historic display of solidarity, traditional and religious leaders from Nigeria’s North Central Zone convened to advocate for scholarships and support for girl child education.
The conference, held in Minna, Niger State, brought together esteemed leaders to address the pressing issue of educational disparities.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasised the transformative power of education in improving lives and communities. He stated, “Education is key to unlocking potential and fostering societal development.”
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced sweeping initiatives, including deploying one million computers and tablets to all government schools to enhance digital literacy; providing free internet services to public schools and other institutions through fibre optic cable installations; and initiating a 10-year programme to provide scholarships to 1,000 female students annually to study nursing, medicine, and other medical-related courses.
The Minister of Education, represented by Suraju Darda’u, urged traditional and religious leaders to amplify awareness campaigns within their communities on the need to educate girls.
Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, the Niger State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, acknowledged challenges such as low literacy rates, gender inequality, and limited access to quality education.
Amina Buba Haruna, the AGILE Project Coordinator, highlighted the project’s focus on improving the educational outcomes of adolescent girls in secondary schools.
The conference culminated in the investiture of Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago, the wife of the Niger State Governor, as the Ambassador of Girl Child Education for the North Central Zone. Mrs Bago expressed her commitment to breaking down barriers to girl child education, citing the influence of her late father, an educationist who ensured all his daughters received an education.
Nigerian leaders unite for girl child education in North Central zone
