UNICEF Expert Raises Concern Over Education Barriers Facing Nigerian Girls

A development specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund, Ngozi Izuora-Songu, has revealed that more than 40 million adolescents in Nigeria, many of them girls, continue to face serious challenges such as limited access to education, harmful gender norms, early marriage, and poor access to accurate health information.

She made the statement during the Osun State edition of the YES! GIRL Watch Session held in Osogbo. The programme was created to amplify the voices, experiences, and aspirations of adolescent girls across Nigeria through open discussions and media engagement.

According to Izuora-Songu, the YES! GIRL initiative allows girls to watch selected episodes of the Yes! Girl podcast, participate in meaningful conversations, and reflect on issues that directly affect their daily lives and future opportunities.

She explained that the podcast is a girl-led platform created by adolescent girls for adolescent girls, focusing on important topics such as mental health, education, gender equality, menstrual hygiene, online safety, child protection, and leadership development.

Although the podcast is mainly distributed online, she noted that the watch sessions provide a safe physical environment where girls can freely express themselves, learn from one another, and build confidence.

Speaking further, the UNICEF expert emphasized that many girls in Nigeria still remain out of school and often lack safe spaces where they can seek guidance or discuss issues affecting their wellbeing. She added that harmful cultural practices and unequal opportunities continue to limit the growth and development of many young girls across the country.

Izuora-Songu explained that the combination of storytelling and real-life experiences used in the podcast helps bridge information gaps, challenge negative social norms, and encourage girls to see themselves as future leaders and change-makers.

She added that the physical watch sessions go beyond passive listening by creating opportunities for active participation, where girls can ask questions, share personal experiences, and gain confidence in their voices and abilities.

According to her, early feedback from participants has been encouraging, as many girls who engage with the platform show improved self-expression, increased awareness, and a stronger willingness to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

She also stressed the importance of parents, teachers, community leaders, and policymakers listening to girls and supporting platforms that give them opportunities to speak and be heard.

The UNICEF official called on governments, media organizations, civil society groups, and local communities to continue supporting initiatives that empower girls and promote equal opportunities in education and leadership.

She further praised stakeholders involved in the programme and explained that the Yes! Girl podcast currently consists of a 10-episode series designed to engage young people both online and through physical interactions.