As the world observes the International Day of the Girl Child, the Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network (CJAN) is calling for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s education and youth employment sectors.
The organization warns that the continued neglect of girl-child development is a looming national crisis with long-term social and economic consequences.
CJAN’s Managing Director, Ajayi Taiwo, criticized the growing marginalization of girls, citing a lack of access to quality education and equal opportunities as major setbacks to national progress.
He pointed to UNICEF data showing that over 7.6 million Nigerian girls are currently out of school, split almost evenly between primary and junior secondary levels. This, he said, reflects systemic failure worsened by early marriage, gender-based violence, poverty, and insecurity—especially in the North.
Taiwo emphasized that this isn’t just an education issue but a broader developmental emergency. He referenced World Bank data showing that more than 66% of Nigerian girls drop out before completing junior secondary school, often due to the absence of retention-focused policies.
Coupled with youth unemployment at 6.5% and a NEET rate of 14.4%—with young women bearing the brunt—he argued that these statistics demand immediate and concrete action.
CJAN is pushing for reforms that include integrating digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and coding into school and NYSC programs, building mentorship networks and safe spaces for girls, and launching post-service empowerment initiatives like startup grants for female ex-corps members.
The organization also stressed the importance of gender-sensitive data and stronger oversight to ensure girls directly benefit from national programs.
Taiwo reiterated that investing in girls is not charity but a strategic imperative. An educated and empowered girl becomes a driver of change, contributing meaningfully to the economy and national stability.
He urged all stakeholders—government, civil society, and the private sector—to move beyond rhetoric and commit to real, measurable change.
Marking this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, CJAN’s message is clear: it’s time to stop celebrating potential and start unleashing it. Every girl deserves the tools to learn, lead, and thrive.
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