Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has reasserted the Nigerian government’s commitment to addressing the educational and empowerment needs of the girl child through strategic investments and collaborative efforts.
At the National Conference on Girls’ Education and Empowerment, the Minister emphasised the need for tailored approaches to address the challenges faced by girls in different regions of the country, particularly in states with compounded socio-cultural and infrastructural obstacles.
“A girl child in Lagos faces fewer barriers than one in Taraba, and we must be mindful of these differences in our approach to education policy,” he said, advocating for more targeted support for states with higher levels of educational deprivation.
Addressing the economic realities of education funding, the Minister acknowledged the country’s fiscal constraints explaining that Nigeria’s spending as a percentage of GDP remains one of the lowest globally, at below 12% GDP, compared to over 27% GDP in countries that have successfully addressed educational challenges.
“We are generating too little revenue, which is why we have had to make difficult choices and taken difficult reform measures in order to ensure that education among others remains a priority in our national budget,” he explained.
The Minister reassured the audience that the government is committed to increasing education funding through better resource generation, ensuring that states, local governments, and federal agencies collaborate to address the diverse educational needs of Nigerian girls.
The Minister expressed gratitude to all attendees, including the Minister of Women Affairs, the Minister of State for Education, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, and representatives from the World Bank and other development partners, for their roles in advancing the agenda for girls’ education in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the critical role of traditional and religious leaders in ensuring that educational access for girls continues to improve, noting their steadfast efforts in tackling the longstanding challenges facing the girl child.
Senator Bagudu shared an important anecdote from his experience as a state governor, he spoke of being privileged to be part of the inception of the AGILE (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment) Project, a key initiative aimed at addressing barriers to girls’ education.
The Minister expressed optimism about the future of girls’ education in Nigeria, citing the ongoing collaboration with international development partners, including the World Bank, UNDP, and others, as instrumental in driving progress.
“The dream of ensuring that every girl has access to education or skills training is within our reach. We have the resources and partnerships necessary to make this dream a reality. Let us work together to create a future that empowers every girl child and includes them in our national development,” the Minister concluded.
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