The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to education for displaced persons, particularly children, within the region.
Uduakobong Umossoh, Deputy Director of the FCT Education Secretariat, Gender Unit, gave this assurance during the Project Orientation and Partners Meeting hosted by the Stand With A Girl Education Project (SWAGEP) in Abuja. The initiative, launched by the Stand With A Girl Initiative, aims to equip 60 girls aged 10-19 with literacy, numeracy, and life skills, with funding support from the Emerging Market Foundation (EMpower).
The program is set to benefit out-of-school girls in the Wassa and Karonmajigi IDP Camps, promoting girls’ education, empowerment, and social change. This initiative represents a crucial step towards creating a more equitable society where girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Umossoh emphasized that the FCT is dedicated to ensuring all children, including those in IDP camps, have access to quality education.
“We have established centers for literacy and continuing education programs to provide educational opportunities for children in these camps,” she stated.
One of the major challenges faced by IDPs is the lack of access to secondary education. Umossoh explained that measures have been put in place to address this issue, including centers offering equivalent education programs for junior and senior secondary school students.
She further highlighted the importance of partnerships with organizations to support these efforts, noting that the FCT’s policies align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Executive Director of Stand With A Girl Initiative, Margaret Bolaji-Adegbola, spoke on the organization’s efforts to bridge educational gaps in IDP camps. She disclosed that the organization has engaged girls in Wassa and extended its reach to Karonmajigi, providing safe spaces for learning and transitioning into conventional schooling systems.
“These safe spaces enable girls to acquire literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills essential for their personal and community development,” Bolaji-Adegbola explained.
She emphasized the organization’s commitment to creating a safe and empowering environment for girls, ensuring they can take leadership positions in their communities. Despite government policies on free education, she pointed out that many girls remain out of school due to infrastructure and resource challenges, calling on the government and partners to help address the issue.
While the initiative primarily focuses on girls, she acknowledged the importance of supporting boys as well, engaging men and boys in advocacy efforts to foster community-wide change. Language barriers are also addressed by ensuring mentors communicate with the girls in Hausa, with translated curricula to enhance learning.
Victory Bunmi Abraham, Program Coordinator for SWAGEP, reiterated that the initiative aims to enhance the livelihood, education, and health of out-of-school girls in IDP camps.
“Nigeria has over 18.3 million out-of-school children, with 60% being girls. This project seeks to address this alarming statistic,” she stated.
The one-year project includes six months of mentoring in safe spaces and three months of vocational training. Life skills sessions will cover topics such as communication, financial literacy, negotiation, leadership, advocacy, personal hygiene, menstrual dignity, and mental health.
Additionally, girls will participate in excursions to business ventures, health facilities, and higher institutions, gaining real-world experiences. The vocational training component will allow participants to choose skills that align with their interests, facilitated by industry experts. Community leaders will also be involved to ensure the program’s sustainability.
The launch of the Stand With A Girl Education Project in Karonmajigi marks a significant step towards addressing the educational needs of displaced girls in Nigeria. With support from community leaders, government officials, and stakeholders, the initiative aims to make a lasting impact, empowering girls to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Bolaji-Adegbola reinforced the initiative’s core message: “No girl should be left behind simply because she is internally displaced or finds herself in an unfortunate situation.”
By addressing education gaps and equipping girls with essential skills, this project paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
