The Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network, CJAN, has called for urgent reforms to address the growing crisis of girl-child education and youth unemployment in Nigeria as the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child.
In a press statement released on Friday, the organisation’s Managing Director, Ajayi Taiwo, described the situation as “a ticking time bomb for the nation’s future,” warning that millions of girls continue to face barriers to quality education and equal opportunities.
Citing data from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Taiwo said over 7.6 million girls in Nigeria are currently out of school — 3.9 million at the primary level and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.
“The numbers are alarming. When over seven million girls are out of school, it’s not just an education problem , it’s an economic and social crisis,” Taiwo said.
Related News: Nigerian First Lady Launches Alternative High Schools for Girls in Osogbo, Urges State govt to deepen girl child education
Delta Residents Protest Over Continuous Abduction Of Children
Toke Makinwa Celebrates Arrival Of Baby Girl In UK
“No country can achieve sustainable development when a significant portion of its female population is left behind.”
He attributed the challenge to early marriage, gender-based violence, poverty, and insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria, adding that the figures represent a systemic failure that requires urgent attention.
Referencing a World Bank report, Taiwo noted that about 66 per cent of Nigerian girls drop out before completing junior secondary school, while retention-focused interventions remain limited.
He also cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing that youth unemployment stands at 6.5 per cent, while the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) rate among youths aged 15 to 24 is 14.4 per cent, with females being disproportionately affected.
“These figures show the urgency for government and stakeholders to move from talk to action,” he said.
“Without deliberate efforts to close gender gaps, the country risks losing a generation of talented young women.”
To address these issues, CJAN outlined a reform agenda aimed at empowering girls through education, mentorship, and post-service opportunities.
The organisation recommended the integration of digital literacy, coding, and entrepreneurship training into school curricula and the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, skill acquisition programmes to prepare young women for the future of work.
It also proposed the creation of mentorship and safe reporting channels for female corps members and adolescent girls, especially in rural areas, to protect them from abuse and promote inclusion.
Additionally, CJAN called for the establishment of post-service empowerment schemes that would provide start-up grants and business incubation support for female ex-corps members.
On policy implementation, Taiwo urged the government to ensure that girls are direct beneficiaries of education and youth programmes through effective oversight and the use of sex-disaggregated data to monitor outcomes.
“Investing in girls is not charity, it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s stability and prosperity,” Taiwo stated.
“An educated girl becomes a productive woman, a better mother, and a contributor to national development.”
He appealed to government agencies, private organisations, and civil society groups to collaborate in tackling gender disparities and building a safer and more inclusive environment for girls across Nigeria.
“As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, we must remember that progress starts with action,” Taiwo added.
“Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.”
