This week, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Malala Fund co-founder Malala Yousafzai visited Nigeria accompanied by Malala Fund’s CEO Lena Alfi, board members, and her father and fellow co-founder Ziauddin Yousafzai. Their mission was to further Malala Fund’s commitment to advancing education for girls. In Abuja, Malala dedicated an entire day to engaging with local communities, amplifying girls’ voices, and gaining insights into the challenges they face.
The day unfolded through three impactful events, each highlighting the collaboration, innovation, and leadership essential to revolutionizing education access for Nigerian girls.
Gathering with Education Advocates
Malala’s morning began with a meeting alongside Malala Fund’s partners and grassroots activists who are championing change on the ground. They exchanged experiences about their victories and ongoing struggles, including combating child marriage and advocating for education budgets that genuinely address girls’ needs.
One advocate shared a compelling example of the impact of girls’ voices:
“In Kaduna, a young girl confronted the governor, saying, ‘I have been fortunate to attend school, but what about the girls who come after me?’ This courageous statement inspired the state to announce free education for all girls. Our current focus is to ensure this commitment is enshrined in law. It’s a testament to how girls’ advocacy can influence policy.” – Habiba Muhammed, Malala Fund Education Champion and Executive Director, Centre for Girls Education (CGE)
Malala Fund’s initiatives are active in six Nigerian states – Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, and Oyo – addressing obstacles such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and inadequate funding for education. With over $9 million invested in Nigeria so far, the Fund recently unveiled a global strategy that places Nigeria at the forefront. The approach centers on leveraging education to eradicate child marriage, supporting married and pregnant girls to return to school, and pushing for increased education financing.
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Creative pottery workshop with young girls
Later in the day, Malala participated in a pottery workshop with a group of young girls, molding clay while discussing their aspirations. The girls candidly addressed the hurdles that prevent many of their peers from attending school, such as financial difficulties and early marriage. They also emphasized their demand for inclusion in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
One participant expressed her vision clearly:
“My greatest hope is that every girl is empowered to ‘dream boldly’ and turn those dreams into reality. For Nigeria, it’s not enough to encourage girls to dream big; we need policies that back us up and ensure these policies are enforced. I envision a Nigeria where girls are not only encouraged to dream but are actively supported to achieve those dreams.” – Halima Yusuf, Former Malala Fund Girl Fellow, 25
This interaction underscored the vital importance of genuinely listening to girls. Their perspectives and demands must be central to shaping policies and directing investments that influence their futures.
Evening dialogue with influential leaders
As night fell, Malala convened with prominent figures including the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Honorable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, Malala Fund Nigeria’s CEO Nabila Aguele, alongside civil society representatives and community advocates. The discussion centered on collaborative strategies to guarantee that every Nigerian girl completes twelve years of quality education.
“I am deeply honored to be among such dedicated leaders. After meeting the girls and education advocates here in Nigeria, my resolve has never been stronger that meaningful change is achievable. We will witness a future where every Nigerian girl enjoys her right to full and quality education. This requires enhanced cooperation among all stakeholders, including government officials, to ensure policies are enacted and adequately funded so that real progress is realized on the ground.” – Malala Yousafzai, Malala Fund co-founder, Nigeria
During this gathering, Hauwa Ojeifo, founder of She Writes Woman, announced a generous $500,000 contribution to Malala Fund, signaling a powerful commitment to scaling efforts ahead. This moment marked a shift from conversation to concrete action, emphasizing that pledges must translate into tangible resources, enforceable policies, and accountability. It is imperative that government bodies and civil society unite to ensure girls not only enroll but also complete their full education.
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