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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
APC Backs Tegbe for Power Reforms, Cites Proven Expertise, Strategic Leadership
By: Michael Mike
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has hailed the nomination of Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Nigeria’s Minister of Power, describing it as a timely move amid the country’s persistent electricity challenges.
In a statement issued in Ibadan, the party’s state leadership said Tegbe’s selection reflects both merit and the urgent need for competent leadership in the nation’s power sector.
The statement, jointly signed by State Chairman Chief Moses Adeyemo Alake and State Secretary Hon. Fatai Adesina, expressed strong confidence in Tegbe’s ability to drive meaningful reforms, citing his extensive professional background and policy experience.
Tegbe, an engineer and seasoned policy strategist, brings over three decades of experience spanning engineering, consulting, and public sector advisory.
He previously served as Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, where he coordinated bilateral development initiatives and investment engagements between both countries.
He also chaired the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, playing a key role in advancing Nigeria’s fiscal reform agenda and strengthening revenue frameworks.
Before transitioning fully into public service, Tegbe built a distinguished career at KPMG, rising to become Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services in Africa. In that role, he led major engagements on governance reforms, economic policy, institutional transformation, and investment strategy across both public and private sectors.
Earlier in his career, he worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company, gaining experience in corporate operations and resource management.
Academically, Tegbe holds a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University and has attended executive programmes at globally renowned institutions including Harvard and INSEAD, further reinforcing his technical and leadership credentials.
The APC noted that this blend of technical expertise and policy leadership positions him to tackle longstanding challenges in power generation, transmission, and distribution.
“The APC in Oyo State is confident that Chief Tegbe will bring innovation, efficiency, and sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s power sector. His history of performance and commitment to service positions him to make meaningful contributions to national development,” the statement read.
The party emphasized that Nigeria is at a critical stage where strategic direction is essential to unlock sustainable energy solutions, noting that Tegbe’s leadership could help reposition the sector for improved performance.
It added that the APC in Oyo would offer its full support while maintaining constructive engagement with the minister-designate and other stakeholders to ensure progress.
The statement also acknowledged Tegbe’s longstanding contributions to the growth of the party in the state, expressing optimism that his new role would further deepen his commitment to national development.
The APC wished him a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would mark a significant shift toward stable and reliable electricity supply across the country.
APC Backs Tegbe for Power Reforms, Cites Proven Expertise, Strategic Leadership
News
Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy
Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has brought together policymakers, climate experts, and peacebuilding practitioners from across Africa in a high-level regional forum aimed at tackling the growing link between climate change and insecurity on the continent.
Declaring the forum open in Abuja, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Salihu Aminu Usman, warned that the accelerating pace of climate change is already triggering severe global consequences, stressing the need for urgent and coordinated action.
“Climate change impacts are on the rise daily, with unprecedented and extreme weather conditions being experienced all around the world. Urgent solutions are required before it gets out of hand,” he said.
Usman noted that Nigeria remains committed to global climate obligations under frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. He added that the country has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 47 percent with international support.
He revealed that Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), currently nearing completion, incorporates conflict-sensitive approaches, linking climate adaptation directly to peacebuilding efforts. According to him, environmental pressures are increasingly tied to security challenges such as farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and cattle rustling.
“It would be a mistake to ignore adaptation needs in these peacebuilding contexts,” Usman said, underscoring the importance of aligning climate policies with national security strategies.
In her remarks, Director of the Department of Climate Change, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, highlighted the widespread impact of climate variability on infrastructure, biodiversity, and livelihoods, warning that these disruptions are deepening existing vulnerabilities and contributing to instability.
She said Nigeria’s adaptation planning process has been inclusive and participatory, designed to address medium- and long-term climate risks while strengthening resilience across sectors.
Also speaking, Alec Crawford of the International Institute for Sustainable Development stressed that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
“The intersection between climate risks, war, and conflict is no longer abstract,” Crawford said, adding that adaptation strategies must not only respond to environmental challenges but also actively support peacebuilding efforts.
He commended Nigeria for hosting the forum and acknowledged financial support from the Government of Ireland.
The forum has drawn participation from several African countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Organisers say discussions will centre on integrating peacebuilding into climate adaptation planning, sharing country experiences, and strengthening collaboration among environment, security, and development stakeholders.
The forum runs through May 7, featuring technical sessions, policy dialogues, and peer learning aimed at shaping a more coordinated African response to the climate-security challenge.
Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy
Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Ghana have reinforced their joint fight against drug trafficking networks in West Africa, sending a strong warning to criminal cartels with a new wave of coordinated enforcement and intelligence-sharing efforts.
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) declared that both countries are now more aligned than ever in tackling transnational drug crimes. He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey.
Marwa described the visit as a strategic step beyond diplomacy, emphasizing that the growing sophistication of drug trafficking and its links to money laundering demand deeper regional collaboration.
“Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united,” he said, noting that joint efforts in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies would significantly shrink the operational space for criminal networks.
A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation in combating the production and trafficking of psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, and associated financial crimes.
Marwa said the MoU transforms an already strong relationship into a “structured, aggressive, and unified front” against drug barons, adding that both countries would intensify joint training, digital forensics collaboration, and coordinated operations across the West African corridor.
On his part, Mantey acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security, describing the relationship between both countries as one rooted in shared history and mutual respect. He stressed that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing ties rather than starting new ones.
He warned that drug trafficking across West Africa is becoming more complex, with traffickers adopting advanced methods, expanding maritime routes, and increasing the production and distribution of synthetic drugs. He also noted a shift in Ghana’s role from primarily a transit hub to a country facing rising domestic drug use and distribution challenges.
“No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” Mantey said, underscoring the need for practical cooperation in operations, intelligence sharing, and institutional capacity building.
He added that the success of the new partnership would depend on concrete implementation, including coordinated enforcement actions and sustained collaboration between both agencies.
The meeting, held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, was attended by senior officials from both countries, including representatives of the Ghanaian High Commission.
The renewed alliance signals a broader regional push to confront organized drug networks, amid growing concerns over their impact on security, governance, and public health across West Africa.
Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact
APC Backs Tegbe for Power Reforms, Cites Proven Expertise, Strategic Leadership
Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy
Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact
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