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Nigeria’s North Poised for Transformation as New Analysis Shows Investing in Girls Could Yield Massive Returns
Nigeria’s North Poised for Transformation as New Analysis Shows Investing in Girls Could Yield Massive Returns
By: Michael Mike
A groundbreaking new policy brief has revealed that investing in adolescent girls in Northern Nigeria could deliver life-changing gains for young women and multibillion-dollar returns for the country.
The latest findings support what experts have long argued: that educating girls is not just a social imperative but one of the highest-yielding economic investments Nigeria can make.
According to the new analysis, scaling up proven programmes in Kano and Kaduna States with an investment of US$ 114 million over four years would reach 1.1 million adolescent girls and generates 3.9 million additional years of schooling averts 327,000 child marriages, prevents 383,000 adolescent pregnancies, saves 3,651 adolescent mothers’ lives, reduces 35,675 under-five deaths and delivers an astonishing 21-to-1 return on investment, valued at $2.5 billion
Policymakers are calling the findings a “wake-up call” for national and state governments and an opportunity Nigeria cannot afford to miss.
Despite progress in some parts of the country, millions of Nigerian girls especially in the North still face interrupted education. More than 7.6 million girls are out of school, half of them in the Northwest and Northeast. And while the national secondary school completion rate hovers at 34%, it is just 28% in the Northwest.
The consequences are immediate and generational. Girls without schooling face earlier marriage (median age 16.6 with no education vs. 21.7 for those completing secondary school), higher risk of intimate partner violence, reduced decision-making power Increased risk of maternal complications and death, a greater likelihood of having stunted or malnourished children
Unfortunately, these outcomes reverberate through communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty, poor health, and limited opportunity.
But fortunately, Northern Nigeria is not starting from scratch. The Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) in Kaduna has spent over a decade pioneering targeted, evidence-backed models that are now informing national policy.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE), Habiba Mohammed, delivered an urgent call for Nigeria to expand opportunities for every girl—whether in school, out of school, married, young, or facing barriers to further education.
She said educating girls is the foundation for safer communities, stronger families, and a more prosperous nation.
Speaking to policymakers, development partners, teachers, and community members, Mohammed outlined CGE’s comprehensive approach to supporting girls aged 4 to 24, emphasizing that the organization “works with girls at every stage” from preschoolers to married adolescents, from girls seeking vocational skills to those aiming for careers in STEM.
CGE’s model blends literacy, numeracy, life skills, vocational training, and mentorship in safe spaces across communities and schools.
She said: “We train teachers to become mentors. This gives us ripple effects indirect beneficiaries who carry forward the skills and knowledge.”
The organisation works hand-in-hand with community leaders, religious leaders, parents, husbands of married adolescents, school heads, and government officials, ensuring interventions align with local realities.
CGE also collaborates closely with local government education authorities to secure school placements for girls returning to the classroom and to ensure smooth transitions from one level of schooling to the next.
“We don’t want a situation where girls drop out. When girls learn, the possibility of them being retained in school is very high,” she said.
Mohammed highlighted the story of Sakina, a CGE beneficiary who used her voice to spark policy change.
During an advocacy visit supported by the Malala Fund, Sakina told the former governor of Kaduna State:
“I have achieved something, but I have sisters out there who need the same opportunity. School fees are stopping many girls.”
Her plea moved the governor to scrap school fees for all children girls and boys from primary through senior secondary school. The reform became reality, opening classrooms to thousands of learners.
“The voice of the girl was powerful,” Mohammed said. “When we get the right stakeholders, no girl will be left behind.”At CGE, girls are not passive recipients they are activists.
“We believe in the slogan: nothing for us without us,” Mohammed said. “We train our girls to use their voices to speak to policymakers.”
Girls supported by CGE appear on radio and TV, advocate in Hausa and English, and speak publicly about why they want education and why it is a fundamental right.
Addressing the barriers faced by married adolescents, Mohammed shared her own story of completing university while raising three children:
“I was eight months pregnant with my first child when I started university… and before I graduated, I had three children. It did not stop me.”
She stressed that married girls can thrive academically if given supportive environments including child care options, mentorship, and encouragement from family members.
“Our mothers-in-law, co-wives, and extended families can help us continue,” she said. “The issue is understanding not control.”
According to her, girls trained in CGE safe spaces develop the life skills to navigate complex family dynamics. “When you see them, everybody wants to be like them.”
Security threats from community clashes to insurgency remain a challenge. While CGE cannot enforce security, Mohammed said community partnerships are critical.
“Our focal persons inform us immediately if there is a conflict. The safety of mentors, staff, and girls is a priority.”
Communities themselves provide protection and ensure that programmes continue when conditions are safe.
Mohammed urged state governments to develop concrete policies that allow girls who married early or became pregnant to return to school seamlessly.
“Every girl who wants to go back to school should find the door open,” she said.
She pointed to CGE research showing that transition from primary to secondary school was once only 4% in programme communities. But after just one year of life skills intervention, 82% of girls re-enrolled.
“This shows what can happen when girls gain confidence and support,” she said. “Now it is the responsibility of government to create space for every girl.”
“Issues of early marriage will be history. Issues of girls not going to school will be history. Issues of gender-based violence, Boko Haram, kidnapping all will be history in Nigeria. The only thing we need is to educate the girl child.”
Mohammed emphasized that the goal is not to position education against marriage, but to ensure that girls enter both on their own terms, prepared, informed, and empowered.
“Marriage does not stop education, and education does not stop marriage”
Mohammed challenged the widespread belief that schooling and marriage are mutually exclusive for girls in Northern Nigeria. Instead, she argued that girls should marry “at an appropriate age, when she is ready”and that readiness is most often achieved when they complete secondary education.
“For us, it is not the age, it is the maturity,” she said. “If a girl is able to marry after completion of secondary school, she is ready.”
“A girl who is able to go through a life skills component… will understand that she has a voice. She can use her voice,” she said.
According to her, stigma loses its power when girls develop self-confidence and resilience. “Even if it is there, it will not stop her from achieving her goals.”
CGE’s life skills curriculum includes lessons on self-esteem, communication, goal setting, and managing emotional and psychological challenges such as trauma from gender based violence.
Mohammed also discussed CGE’s innovative approach to literacy, supported by the Jolie-Phoenix phonics component, which transforms learning into an interactive, fun experience.
“It is a fun way of learning. The participants learn between songs,” she explained.
She noted that the approach has yielded success, particularly for girls who previously struggled with literacy, stating that phonics-based lessons enable girls to read and write, adding that local -language numeracy makes mathematics easier to grasp, being able to read signs in hospitals, on the road, or at school motivates girls to stay in school; peer learning allows fast learners to support slower learners, strengthening community bonds and accelerating progress.
Mohammed said: “In Hausa, they want to see the end of that education,” describing the sense of achievement girls feel when they can read independently.
She noted that effective teacher training is absolutely critical and that “no teacher is untrainable.”
From her experience recruiting mentors from public schools, she recounted how educators who initially struggled quickly transformed with the right training:
CGE’s life skills curriculum also includes modules to support survivors of rape, domestic abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence. These sessions help girls rebuild emotional strength and regain control of their lives.
“They can be able to do better with their emotions,” habiba explained. “They can be able to help themselves out of the situation they found themselves in.”
She appeal for collaboration among government agencies, civil society, donors, teachers, traditional leaders, and parents.
“If we put our hands and heads together, not working in silos… we will be able to reach where we want to go about girls’ education,” she said.
CGE’s model continues to demonstrate that when girls are nurtured academically, emotionally, and socially, they thrive regardless of the stigma or barriers around them.
Nigeria’s North Poised for Transformation as New Analysis Shows Investing in Girls Could Yield Massive Returns
Zulum Disburses ₦2bn Starter Packs to 2,970 Trained Borno Youths in Massive Empowerment Drive
By: Michael Mike
Governor Babagana Zulum on Tuesday rolled out a ₦2.05 billion empowerment package for 2,970 young people trained in vocational skills across Borno State, marking a major push in the state’s transition from humanitarian recovery to economic rebuilding after more than a decade of insurgency.
The beneficiaries, who graduated from nine modern vocational enterprise institutes and centres established by the Zulum administration, received comprehensive starter packs and business kits designed to enable immediate take-off of small and medium-scale enterprises.
The ceremony, held at the Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute in Maiduguri, drew senior government officials, lawmakers and technical education stakeholders, underscoring the scale and strategic importance of the intervention.
Addressing the gathering, Zulum described youth empowerment as a cardinal pillar of his administration, particularly in a state where insurgency disrupted livelihoods, deepened unemployment and left thousands of young people vulnerable.
He said the government deliberately prioritised skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as sustainable pathways to restore dignity and rebuild productive capacity.
“We remain mindful of the devastating effects of insurgency on our communities,” Zulum stated. “It became imperative for government to implement sustainable interventions aimed at restoring dignity, creating opportunities and rebuilding productive capacity among our people.”
The governor noted that since 2019, his administration has established five major vocational enterprise institutes in Muna, Mafa, Biu, Shani and Magumeri, reactivated nine vocational training centres, and set up three Second Chance Skills Entrepreneurship Schools targeted at women and girls.
He disclosed that over ₦40 billion has been invested in building, rehabilitating and equipping vocational institutes, training centres and technical colleges across the state. According to him, the investment aligns with a broader Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) strategy aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school youths, promoting self-reliance and creating a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the state and national economy.
The graduates were trained in high-demand sectors such as information technology, construction, plumbing, tailoring, welding and other artisan trades, reflecting the state’s intention to match training with market realities.
Earlier, Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said the initiative was a direct product of Governor Zulum’s vision to empower conflict-affected youths with practical, employable and entrepreneurial skills.
He explained that the programme was conceived as part of a broader social and economic rebuilding agenda to support vulnerable groups, particularly young people and women whose lives were disrupted by years of insecurity.
The event was attended by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Bugaje; Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Mohammed Ali Ndume and Kaka Shehu Lawan; Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mallumbe, among other dignitaries.
With the distribution of the ₦2 billion starter packs, the Borno State Government signalled a deliberate shift from short-term relief interventions to long-term economic empowerment, positioning youth entrepreneurship as a central driver of stability, growth and lasting peace in the state.
Zulum Disburses ₦2bn Starter Packs to 2,970 Trained Borno Youths in Massive Empowerment Drive
Send Your Kids To Acquire Technical Education Now……Zulum
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Borno Governor Professor Babagana Zulum has called on residents to send their wards into the technical vocational and education training (TVET) centre for them to acquire skills for livelihood.
He regretted that there are about nine vocational enterprise institutes/ centres in Borno state but young people are not responding to the opportunities that abound in these training centres the way he felt they should embrace it.
The Governor who attended the graduation ceremony of 2,970 trainees Tuesday at the vocational enterprise institute Muna in the outskirts of Maiduguri said he hardly shed tears over anything but the way the young people dismiss the opportunities offered by these centres sometimes make him to tear up.
Speaking in Hausa to the locals present, he went on ” Look I established centres like this one here, in Mafa and all over the state but sadly the young ones are painfully snubbing these places which is there to change their lives and teach them how to fish.
” I hardly shed tears easily but each time I watch our young ones who need these opportunities snubbing what we brought for them to benefit, I feel bad indeed. It makes me feel like shedding tears.
” This is why I am begging you to please hurry up and ensure you enroll your children to grab this opportunity which is lined up for them now that it lasts.”
He assured the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje that Borno will continue to lead in the TVET centre module of training for as long as there are out of school kids and orphans littering the metropolis and the countryside.
He assured the NBTE boss that Borno is not yet done with his agency adding that he will surely find a way to sit down and work something out that would be beneficial to the state on the long term basis.
Zulum posited that a situation in which a serious business man like Dangote will have to bring in as many as 11,000 technicians from India to boast production in his refinery when young Nigerians would have taken such position is sad.
The Governor warned parents that they have only five years left to think about the offers in the centres and enroll their kids so that they too will become beneficiaries of the goodies offered by the system.
At the end of the speech making session, Gov Zulum, awarded 100,000 naira each to the 2,970 beneficiaries who completed their intensive vocational training across the state.
Zulum equally distributed starter packs and business kits valued at ₦2,050,000,000 to the graduates, aimed at equipping them to establish their own enterprises to become self-employed almost immediately.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the nine vocational training institutes located across Borno State offering skills in fields such as information technology, plumbing, construction, tailoring, welding and various artisan trades.
Governor Zulum, while addressing the gathering, reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting young people, particularly those affected by over 10 years of insurgency in the state.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, one of the cardinal priorities of this administration has been youth empowerment and the protection of vulnerable members of our society. We remain mindful of the devastating effects of insurgency on our communities, which disrupted livelihoods, increased unemployment and exposed many young people to uncertainty and hardship.
“It became imperative for the government to implement sustainable interventions aimed at restoring dignity, creating opportunities and rebuilding productive capacity among our people.
“It is with great honour and a deep sense of fulfilment that I address this distinguished gathering on the occasion of the graduation and presentation of starter packs to 2,970 trainees drawn from nine vocational enterprises institutes and centres across Borno State.
“In addition, we reactivated nine vocational training centres and three second chance skills entrepreneurship schools dedicated to women and girls.” Said Zulum.
The Governor said that the institutes prioritises the enrolment of vulnerable individuals, particularly those affected by insurgency and provide structured training in diverse vocational and technical trades to enhance employability and economic independence.
Prof Zulum revealed that, his administration had invested over ₦40 billion in the establishment, rehabilitation, and equipping of vocational enterprises institutes, vocational training centres and technical colleges across Borno State since he was sworn into office.
According to Zulum, this strategic investment is aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school youths, promoting self-reliance and developing a skilled workforce capable of contributing meaningfully to both the state and national economy through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, explained Zulum’s vocational training concept, which he noted is a direct product of the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the Governor whose administration recognises the urgent need to empower youths with practical, employable and entrepreneurial skills.
The initiative he stressed is equally part of the Governor’s broader agenda to promote self-reliance, restore dignity, rebuild livelihoods, particularly among conflict-affected youths, women and vulnerable members of the society.
Send Your Kids To Acquire Technical Education Now……Zulum
FRSC moves to enforce discipline, professionalism
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday, sensitised its personnel in Gombe State to enhance discipline, professionalism, and service delivery.
Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed while engaging with personnel at the FRSC Gombe Sector Command said the initiative was borne out of the need to respond to recent operational reports that reveal trends “we cannot and will not ignore.”
Mohammed who was represented by an Assistant Corps Marshal Ezekiel SonAllah said the Corps had observed a disturbing decline in discipline and professionalism.
He said that those lapses had manifested as misconduct, unethical practices, abuse of authority, extortion, reckless enforcement behaviours and other actions that contradicted its mandate and were steadily eroding public trust in the Corps.
The Corps Marshal reminded the personnel that such behaviours were not only unacceptable but endangered the credibility and reputation of the Corps.
“Every time a road user loses confidence in us, our mandate becomes harder to achieve; every act of unprofessional conduct damages the image of thousands of disciplined staff and every abuse of authority weakens the trust built over decades,” he stressed.
Mohammed further told personnel that discipline was not punishment but protection, as “ It protects our reputation, our careers, the Corps and ultimately the lives of Nigerians who depend on us daily.”
According to him, professionalism to the Corps is mandatory and not optional.
The Corps Marshal also warned personnel against extortion, harassment and abuse of authority, emphasising that such acts were illegal and would not be tolerated.
He expressed optimism that the engagement with personnel would help restore the highest standards of discipline, rebuild public confidence, towards making the Corps an enduring symbol of professionalism and integrity.
Our Correspondent reports that the theme of the sensitisation is “Discipline, Reinforcement and Strengthening of Command and Control in the Field Commands.”
Recall that FRSC, in February, dismissed 43 of its personnel over offences bordering on desertion, scandalous conduct and patrol-related misconduct.
The move was described by the Corps as a firm demonstration of its zero tolerance for indiscipline and ethical breaches.
FRSC moves to enforce discipline, professionalism
Zulum Disburses ₦2bn Starter Packs to 2,970 Trained Borno Youths in Massive Empowerment Drive
Send Your Kids To Acquire Technical Education Now……Zulum
FRSC moves to enforce discipline, professionalism
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