Girl child education:

Education is no doubt considered a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, data from around the world reveals something contrary to this. Especially data from the sub-Sahara region. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of The High Commissioner’s document published on 23 January 2023, the world is already failing, as 130 million girls are denied the human right to education. According to a UN expert, the world is failing 130 million girls of their right to education- a fundamental, transformative, and empowering right for every human being. As a result of the importance of access to quality basic education for all in community and human development, nations of the world made commitments to ensure the realisation of the right to education. Unfortunately, the commitment remains stronger on paper, as many nations are still denying children of school age, especially the girl child, access to quality basic education. Thus, denying the world the immense contributions of the other half – who are more than half of the world population. Even though education is a lifelong learning process which contributes to a stable, equitable and sustainable world, nations of the world, including Nigeria are still not doing enough to bring equity to access quality basic education, even when millions of dollars are allocated annually to the sector. It is sad to know that governments at all levels in Nigeria are not doing enough for the girl child to have access to quality basic education, even though it is one of the main goals of globally accepted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 4 specifically promotes and targets inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Such that by 2030, all girls and boys would have had an opportunity to complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education, among other targets in favour of the girl child too. The SDG 4 is meant to ensure that girls more than ever before, have access to basic quality education so that their prospect for health, employment and overall well-being will drastically increase. It aims to ensure that the skills and knowledge of the girl child are strengthened.