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Investing in Girls' Education Could Deliver Major Social and Economic Benefits
Investing in Girls' Education Could Deliver Major Social and Economic Benefits
New research presented at an education and gender summit in Abuja has highlighted the potential long-term social and economic benefits of investing in adolescent girls' education, including in Kano and Kaduna states.
According to Prof. William Rudgard, an Oxford University researcher, modelling presented at the event indicated that an investment of about $114 million aimed at reaching 1.1 million adolescent girls across Kano and Kaduna could generate approximately $2.5 billion in societal benefits.
The researcher described the potential return as more than 21 times the initial investment.
Projected Educational and Social Benefits
The modelling presented at the event included several projected outcomes. These included:
About 3.9 million additional years of schooling
An estimated 327,170 fewer child marriages
Approximately 383,035 fewer adolescent pregnancies
About 3,651 fewer maternal deaths
These figures are projections from the research modelling rather than observed results from a completed programme. The actual outcomes would depend on how education interventions are designed, funded and implemented.
Why the Transition to Secondary School Matters
The discussion placed particular emphasis on the transition from primary school to secondary education.
For many children, continuing from primary school into secondary education is an important stage in determining how long they remain in formal education.
The research indicated that the potential returns from education increase with additional years of schooling, making the transition to secondary school particularly important for adolescent girls.
Supporting Girls to Remain in School
Education stakeholders have discussed several approaches that could help girls remain in school. These include:
Community engagement
Safe spaces
School-based support
Mentoring
Early identification of girls at risk of dropping out
Support for girls returning to school
The discussion also considered the circumstances of married girls and adolescent mothers who wish to continue their education.
Representing the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Halidu Mohammed said the state had identified 104 married girls seeking to return to school and planned to conduct a survey examining gaps in the transition from primary to secondary education.
Education as a Long-Term Investment
Education is not only about examination results. The number of years a child spends in school can influence future opportunities, skills development and participation in the economy.
For girls in particular, remaining in school can intersect with broader issues including health, marriage, employment and family wellbeing.
This is why researchers and education stakeholders continue to examine ways of reducing the barriers that prevent girls from completing their education.
Conclusion
The findings presented at the summit highlight the potential benefits of sustained investment in girls' education in northern Nigeria.
However, turning projected benefits into real outcomes requires effective implementation, adequate resources, community participation and policies that respond to the circumstances faced by individual girls and their families.
For schools, parents and communities, supporting girls' education remains an important part of building stronger educational outcomes and expanding future opportunities.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), September 9, 2026.
Suggested SEO Description:
Research presented in Abuja highlights the potential social and economic benefits of investing in adolescent girls' education in Kano and Kaduna.
New research presented at an education and gender summit in Abuja has highlighted the potential long-term social and economic benefits of investing in adolescent girls' education, including in Kano and Kaduna states.
According to Prof. William Rudgard, an Oxford University researcher, modelling presented at the event indicated that an investment of about $114 million aimed at reaching 1.1 million adolescent girls across Kano and Kaduna could generate approximately $2.5 billion in societal benefits.
The researcher described the potential return as more than 21 times the initial investment.
Projected Educational and Social Benefits
The modelling presented at the event included several projected outcomes. These included:
About 3.9 million additional years of schooling
An estimated 327,170 fewer child marriages
Approximately 383,035 fewer adolescent pregnancies
About 3,651 fewer maternal deaths
These figures are projections from the research modelling rather than observed results from a completed programme. The actual outcomes would depend on how education interventions are designed, funded and implemented.
Why the Transition to Secondary School Matters
The discussion placed particular emphasis on the transition from primary school to secondary education.
For many children, continuing from primary school into secondary education is an important stage in determining how long they remain in formal education.
The research indicated that the potential returns from education increase with additional years of schooling, making the transition to secondary school particularly important for adolescent girls.
Supporting Girls to Remain in School
Education stakeholders have discussed several approaches that could help girls remain in school. These include:
Community engagement
Safe spaces
School-based support
Mentoring
Early identification of girls at risk of dropping out
Support for girls returning to school
The discussion also considered the circumstances of married girls and adolescent mothers who wish to continue their education.
Representing the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Halidu Mohammed said the state had identified 104 married girls seeking to return to school and planned to conduct a survey examining gaps in the transition from primary to secondary education.
Education as a Long-Term Investment
Education is not only about examination results. The number of years a child spends in school can influence future opportunities, skills development and participation in the economy.
For girls in particular, remaining in school can intersect with broader issues including health, marriage, employment and family wellbeing.
This is why researchers and education stakeholders continue to examine ways of reducing the barriers that prevent girls from completing their education.
Conclusion
The findings presented at the summit highlight the potential benefits of sustained investment in girls' education in northern Nigeria.
However, turning projected benefits into real outcomes requires effective implementation, adequate resources, community participation and policies that respond to the circumstances faced by individual girls and their families.
For schools, parents and communities, supporting girls' education remains an important part of building stronger educational outcomes and expanding future opportunities.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), September 9, 2026.
Suggested SEO Description:
Research presented in Abuja highlights the potential social and economic benefits of investing in adolescent girls' education in Kano and Kaduna.