• Ziauddin Yousafzai said 12 years of schooling for all Nigerian girls could add $100 billion annually to GDP.

• The World Bank’s AGILE program targets 8.6 million adolescent girls in 18 states, while the Malala Fund pledged $50 million over five years.

• Each additional school year boosts women’s income potential by nearly 10%, with broad economic and social benefits.

Nigeria is turning to girls’ education as a key lever for growth while facing demographic transition and youth unemployment.

In an interview with Arise News on October 4, Ziauddin Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund, said that guaranteeing 12 years of education for every Nigerian girl could add up to $100 billion to the country’s GDP each year.

“Investing in girls’ education does not only change their lives or those of their families and communities, it transforms everyone’s life. And if we want this country to prosper, we must invest in education,” Yousafzai said.

Nigeria already has initiatives in place. The World Bank-financed AGILE program aims to improve learning opportunities for 8.6 million adolescent girls across 18 states. The Malala Fund has also pledged $50 million over five years to support access to secondary education.

These programs require inclusive public policies and safe, accessible education, particularly in rural areas and regions affected by insecurity.

The economic impacts are significant. Each additional year of schooling raises a woman’s potential income by nearly 10%, reduces child mortality, and delays early pregnancies. On a macroeconomic level, closing the education gap could reshape Nigeria’s productive structure and increase female participation in the labor market.

The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 showed Nigeria’s education equality score improved to 84.2%, but the country still lags in women’s economic and political representation.

Yousafzai’s call comes as Africa seeks to turn its demographic potential into economic dividends. The World Bank recently approved $1.08 billion in financing for Nigeria, with almost half earmarked for education.

For Nigeria and the continent, investing in girls’ education means boosting productivity, innovation, and resilience. As youth unemployment and inequality weigh on social stability, this strategy could prove the most profitable bet of the decade.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum