According to the coalition, over 40% of Nigerian women lack formal education

According to the Feminist Coalition, more than 40% of Nigerian women have never received formal education.

Damilola Odufuwa, co-founder of the Feminist Coalition, revealed this yesterday in Abuja, adding that 5.5 million girls in the country are out of school, with dropout rates highest in the sixth grade and higher among girls than boys.

According to Odufuwa, these statistics have worsened since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when nearly 90% of the world’s countries closed their schools in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease.

“Ultimately, this has a disproportionate impact on the girl child, who, unfortunately, due to gender bias, is the first to be negatively affected in times of unrest and often the last to recover from the socio-economic ramifications,” she said.

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“Every girl has the right to a good education, according to the Feminist Coalition.”

One of our three pillars of work is women’s rights and safety, and undoubtedly, girls’ education is an area in which we are committed to working for the protection and advancement of Nigerian women.

“This is why the Feminist Coalition Girls Education Program was created.” It is a yearly full scholarship and mentorship program for brilliant young Nigerian girls from low-income families who face the greatest financial barrier to obtaining a quality education.”

According to the convener, the coalition’s scholarships cover not only full tuition but also boarding house fees, co-curricular activities, examination fees, and other necessary school requirements and logistics.

“In addition to the all-inclusive scholarship, each Feminist Coalition founding member is assigned to a student and will provide mentorship through a “Big Sister” program. This includes weekly check-in calls with each ‘little sister,’ as well as attendance at school open days and visiting days.

We hope to continue sponsoring this first group of girls for the next six years of their secondary school education…”