Broadcasting
Girl Child Education In Nigeria, Five Important Facts You Should Know
At various points, creatives in the entertainment industry spotlighted impending issues in Nigerian society, especially the need for women’s empowerment. From Simi’s woman anthem, ‘Woman’, to ‘Koroba’ by Tiwa Savage, these women are at the forefront of highlighting the need for girl child empowerment.
The Girl child in Nigeria accounts for over 23 million of the population of children given birth yearly. Yet, little or nothing is done to protect the interest of this large population of children.
There is the battle for equality, education, and poverty at the top of the list. Here are five essential facts about girl child education in Nigeria.
1. 10 Million Girl Children Are Out Of School
In every public school in Nigeria, education is supposed to be free and compulsory. However, there are still over 18 million out-of-school children, with girls accounting for 10 million. More needs to be done, from religious leaders not taking female education seriously to key government parastatals overlooking the importance of empowering the girl child.
2. 22 Million Girls Were Married Off At Childhood
In 2018, UNICEF estimated that about 22 million girls and women in Nigeria were married off in childhood. According to these statistics, about 40% of all child brides come from West and Central Africa. By 2050 nearly seven million more child brides will be added. These women who are married off are unlikely to go back to school.
3. Less Than 30% Of Primary School Girls Transit To JSS
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) disclosed that less than 30% of the total number of primary six female pupils in Nigeria transit to junior secondary schools nationwide yearly, a statistic that Nigerians should be worried about.
4. Girl Education Drives Positive Development Outcomes
According to a report by the World Bank, girl child education, especially at the secondary level, drives positive development outcomes, which include reduction in child and maternal mortality rates, improvements in educational outcomes of offspring, reducing poverty and promotion of equitable growth.
5. 11,500 Schools Have Been Closed Due To Insecurity
Over 11,500 schools have been closed since December 2020 due to insecurity in Nigeria, with the girl childbearing the brute. According to UNICEF, this closure has affected over 1.3 million children in the 2020/21 academic year.
Despite these statistics, the government in 2021 allocated N742.5 billion to the entire education system out of the N13.08 trillion budgeted for 2021.
This is why it’s important to speak up about education in Nigeria, especially the girl child education, and Chiemeka Osuagwu is doing this with the short film ‘Samaria’, which premiered on October 11, 2021.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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