Abuja, Nigeria
The United Nations in Nigeria has publicly renewed its partnership with the Malala Fund to tackle the severe challenges preventing millions of children, particularly girls, from accessing education across the country.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting in Abuja involving Nobel Laureate and Malala Fund co-founder, Malala Yousafzai, and the organisation’s leadership.
Mohamed Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, stressed the UN’s dedication to “inclusive and equitable education for all,” stating: “The UN reaffirms its support to the Malala Fund in advancing the right of the girl-child to quality education and breaking barriers to education access. No child should be left behind.”
Mr. Fall, who led a delegation including representatives from key UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and UN Women, highlighted that meaningful societal change depends on robust investment in education, especially for girls, and the empowerment of women.
He identified significant obstacles to education in Nigeria, including widespread insecurity, economic hardship, the effects of climate change, and deeply rooted socio-cultural traditions. He called for urgent efforts to boost gender equality and strengthen social cohesion as pathways to sustainable development.
Ms. Yousafzai, who arrived in the Nigerian capital on September 26th for the Malala Fund’s annual Board of Directors meeting, emphasised Nigeria’s crucial role in the Fund’s global strategy for the coming years.
“Nigeria is a priority country for Malala Fund,” she said. “Since 2014, we have invested over $8 million in Nigerian partner organisations working to break down the barriers keeping girls out of school.”
She outlined the Fund’s immediate strategic priorities in Nigeria: ensuring that married and pregnant girls are allowed to return to school; increasing and tailoring education financing to meet girls’ specific needs; and using education policy as a tool to end child marriage.
While in Abuja, Ms. Yousafzai is scheduled to meet with young girls and education advocates supported by the Fund to hear their personal stories and aspirations. She will also hold discussions with prominent government and civil society leaders to promote policy reforms aimed at accelerating progress on girls’ education nationwide.
Add Comment