The Ibironke Adeagbo Foundation (IA-Foundation) has called on the Nigerian government, private sector and development partners to increase investment in girls’ education, warning that poverty, child marriage and inadequate education funding continue to undermine the country’s economic and social development.
The foundation highlighted that, of the estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children at the basic education level in Nigeria, approximately 7.6 million are girls. It warned that denying girls access to education limits their opportunities to acquire skills, secure employment and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The call was made during a webinar organised by IA-Foundation to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, held under the theme “Investing in the Girl Child”.
Speaking at the event, the foundation’s founder, Ibironke Adeagbo, urged the government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to improve access to education for girls rather than relying on future commitments.
Adeagbo stressed that educating girls benefits not only the individuals concerned but also their families, communities and the wider economy. She encouraged Nigerians to examine how much they invest in girls’ education and development, emphasising the need for practical support to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
The webinar brought together education professionals, policymakers, advocates and other stakeholders to discuss how investment in girls’ education could contribute to economic growth, gender equality and social transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Bolaji Osime, an international education strategist and consultant, said educating girls could help reduce child marriage, expand economic opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term development prospects.
However, she expressed concern over the level of public funding allocated to education, noting that Nigeria devoted approximately 6.1 per cent of the Federal Government’s budget to the sector, significantly below the 15 per cent benchmark referenced during the event as recommended by UNESCO.
Osime identified poverty, harmful social norms, inadequate financing and weak enforcement of existing education laws as major barriers preventing girls from accessing and completing their education.
She also highlighted the economic consequences of child marriage, explaining that girls who are denied educational opportunities may face reduced earning potential and limited access to decent employment. At the national level, this can reduce the availability of skilled workers and constrain economic productivity.
Citing developments in Abia State, where more than 10,000 teachers had reportedly been trained and employed, Osime argued that targeted government interventions could improve educational outcomes when supported by adequate planning and resources.
She called for increased education financing, scholarships and skills acquisition programmes, cash transfers for vulnerable families, improved school infrastructure and stronger community engagement to keep girls in school.
The education strategist further urged stakeholders to take measurable action within the next 12 months to advance access to 12 years of free and safe schooling for every girl.
Addressing the issue of child marriage, Toyin Taiwo-Ojo Ndidi, a legal practitioner and founder of the Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, called for stronger enforcement of laws designed to protect girls from early marriage, exploitation and other forms of abuse.
Speaking on the topic “Ending Child Marriage: Protecting the Rights and the Future of the Nigerian Girl”, Ndidi recounted the case of a 14-year-old girl who had been married off in Lagos State. She warned that child marriage remains a concern even in urban centres where access to education and public information may be greater.
She attributed the practice to poverty, limited educational opportunities, social pressure and cultural beliefs that place women and girls in subordinate positions.
“In some cases, parents use girls as bargaining tools to pay off debts, exposing them to abuse and denying them the chance to decide their own futures,” she said.
Ndidi argued that although Nigeria has legal frameworks intended to protect children, implementation remains a major challenge. She urged the government and civil society organisations to strengthen enforcement, ensure accountability for offenders and improve implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
She also advocated for policies that keep girls in school, provide assistance to disadvantaged families, engage traditional and religious leaders and strengthen child protection systems.
Ndidi further emphasised the importance of educating both boys and girls about self-discipline, mutual respect and bodily autonomy as part of efforts to prevent abuse and address gender inequality.
Meanwhile, Rhoda Odigboh, Chief Executive Officer of Kizazi, said creating safer communities for girls requires more than protecting them from physical violence. She identified five dimensions of safety: physical, emotional, psychological, educational and relational.
Odigboh warned that less visible barriers within educational settings, including low teacher expectations, unequal classroom participation and the under-representation of girls in textbooks and learning materials, could undermine girls’ confidence and restrict their future opportunities.
She stressed that policies and legal protections must translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of vulnerable girls.
To achieve this, she called for gender-responsive approaches in teacher training programmes, functional referral systems for reporting gender-based violence and child protection concerns, free menstrual health support and clean sanitation facilities in schools.
Odigboh also urged closer collaboration among the education, health, social welfare, justice and child protection sectors. She disclosed that Kizazi was working with the Enugu State Government on an implementation study focused on gender-responsive teaching.
The event also featured the experience of Mercy Okemosi, a beneficiary of IA-Foundation, who shared how she had overcome challenges and expressed her ambition to become a professional in mass communication and serve as a role model to other girls. Her account drew messages of encouragement and support from participants.
In his remarks, the Acting Board Chairman of IA-Foundation, Olubowale Sangosanya, appealed to affluent individuals, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the foundation’s programmes.
He encouraged individuals to sponsor children’s education, volunteer and establish partnerships with the organisation. He also called on non-governmental organisations and the Federal Government to work together to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
IA-Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds access formal education, said it had supported 105 street-connected children to return to school by paying their school fees and providing essential learning materials.
The foundation also disclosed that its Sponsor a Child programme currently had 18 supporters, highlighting the need for broader participation from individuals and organisations committed to expanding educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
The discussions at the webinar underscored the need to address the financial, cultural, legal and institutional barriers that prevent girls from accessing quality education. While scholarships and household support can help reduce the financial burden on families, sustained progress will also depend on safe school environments, adequate teaching resources, effective child protection systems and consistent enforcement of existing laws.
IA-Foundation’s call adds to wider efforts to ensure that girls are not excluded from education because of poverty, gender discrimination or early marriage. Increased investment in girls’ education could help expand their future choices, strengthen families and communities, and support Nigeria’s long-term social and economic development.
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