The United Nations in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to work with the Malala Fund in its mission to advance the right to education and address the challenges that keep millions of children, especially girls, out of school.
The promise was made over the weekend in Abuja during a strategic engagement by the UN team with Nobel Laureate and Malala Fund co-founder, Ms. Malala Yousafzai, alongside the organisation’s executive team and board members. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, underscored the UN’s dedication to promoting inclusive and equitable education for all.
Fall said: “The UN reaffirms its support to the Malala Fund in advancing the right of the girl-child to quality education and breaking barriers to education access,” said Mr. Fall, “No child should be left behind.”
The UN Resident Coordinator led a UN delegation comprising representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women to the meeting. He emphasized that meaningful societal transformation hinges on robust investment in human capital, particularly through education for girls and empowerment of women.
Fall added that: “Together with the government and our partners, we are committed to dismantling the obstacles that prevent children, especially the most vulnerable, from accessing education.”
He identified key barriers to education in Nigeria, including insecurity, economic hardship, climate change, and entrenched socio-cultural norms. He called for intensified efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen social cohesion as critical pathways to sustainable development.
Malala, who arrived in Abuja on September 26 for the Malala Fund Board of Directors annual meeting, reiterated Nigeria’s central role in the Fund’s global strategy for 2025–2030.
She said: “Nigeria is a priority country for Malala Fund. Since 2014, we have invested over $8 million in Nigerian partner organisations working to break down the barriers keeping girls out of school.”
She outlined the Malala Fund’s strategic priorities in Nigeria, which include: ensuring married and pregnant girls can return to school; increasing education financing and ensuring it meets girls’ needs; and using education as a policy solution to ending child marriage.
The Chief Executive Officer of Malala Fund Nigeria, Ms Nabila Aguele reiterated the commitment of the organisation to ensuring all girls could access and complete 12 years of school in Nigeria. She emphasised Malala Fund’s focus onstrengthening rights and securing resources for girls’ secondary education.
Ms. Yousafzai is expected in Abuja to engage with young girls and education advocates supported by the Malala Fund to hear firsthand their stories, aspirations, and the changes they wish to see in their communities. She will also meet with key government and civil society leaders to galvanize momentum for policy reforms and collaborative action to accelerate progress on girls’ education nationwide.
