The Malala Fund has called on the Kaduna State Government to strengthen school re-entry policies that support married girls and adolescent mothers, ensuring they continue their education and contribute meaningfully to society.
This appeal was made by Ms. Nabila Aguele, the Fund’s Nigeria Chief Executive, during a visit to the Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) in Zaria.
Aguele noted that the visit followed the Fund’s first-ever global board meeting in Nigeria and was meant to engage directly with grassroots partners driving change.
“When you are advocating for girls’ education, it is important to meet the girls themselves, interact with their mentors and teachers, and see how safe spaces are shaping their lives,” she explained.
She said the team had met adolescent mothers determined to return to school despite facing challenges such as child marriage and gender-based violence. According to her, policies must actively safeguard such aspirations.
The Malala Fund, she added, has been active in Nigeria for 10 years and supports 29 local organizations, including CGE.
Co-Founder of Malala Fund, Ziauddin Yousafzai, also joined the visit to one of CGE’s skill acquisition safe spaces in Zaria.
Aguele pointed out that Nigeria has more than 22 million girls married before age 18 — the highest figure in West and Central Africa — with many of them already mothers.
She stressed that failing to address the education gap could stall development, noting that children of uneducated mothers are less likely to be enrolled in school.
“Education prevents early marriage, improves family health, strengthens the economy, and gives young women better choices for their future,” she said.
Aguele further highlighted the Fund’s work in promoting gender-responsive budgeting within the education sector, ensuring that policies reflect the realities of girls at the community level.
Habiba Mohammed, Executive Director of CGE, revealed that the organisation’s safe space programme has impacted over 200,000 girls across Kaduna State since 2016. The initiative provides vocational training, life skills, reproductive health knowledge, nutrition education, and guidance on addressing gender-based violence.
She added that the programme also supports married adolescents by working with their families, religious leaders, and communities to ensure their return to school.
Some beneficiaries shared their experiences, including Maimuna Muhammad, a married participant, who said the safe space had helped her understand gender-based violence, taught her self-care, and equipped her with skills to look after herself and her child.