Dr. Shema’u Ari, an academic and coordinator of Women in Technical Education at Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic Lafia, has urged the government to take decisive action in addressing the challenges that hinder the participation of the girl-child in education across the country.
She emphasized that the ongoing issue of abductions has robbed many girls of their right to quality education.
Ari made these remarks as the keynote speaker at a summit on the impact of girl-child education, organized by the Association of Nigerian Female Students in Lafia.
She stressed the importance of addressing the vulnerability of the girl-child, urging the government to provide actionable support to ensure inclusive access to education.
She called on policymakers to implement robust measures, including psychosocial support, improved security, a rapid response mechanism, and enhanced advocacy. Additionally, Dr. Ari advocated for stronger policy reforms to ensure that more girls are enrolled in schools, thereby bridging the gender gap in education.
Reflecting on the abduction incidents in Zamfara, Borno, and Kaduna States, she urged parents and guardians to prioritize supporting their daughters, enabling them to compete on equal footing with their male counterparts. She further called for improved security and education-friendly services to facilitate this goal.
In his remarks, Dr. Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata, the Acting Rector of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic Lafia, highlighted the institution’s commitment to improving girl-child education.
He noted that his administration has focused on creating a conducive learning environment by providing suitable hostel accommodations and ensuring the presence of a female strike force from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to enhance both access to education and the safety of female students.
Dr. Maifata expressed concern over the challenges facing the girl-child’s development but emphasized that these challenges are surmountable. He also praised the Association of Nigerian Female Students for organizing the summit, stressing the critical role of education in combating issues such as hunger, poverty, child marriage, maternal and child mortality, and gender-based violence.
Comr. Lajatu Maidoki Haruna, the Deputy Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Female Students in Nasarawa State, also expressed appreciation for the Acting Rector’s efforts to prioritize the welfare of the student community.
She underscored the importance of addressing insecurity and socio-cultural barriers to improve the girl-child’s participation in education.
