The United Nations in Nigeria has restated its commitment to partner with the Malala Fund in advancing girls’ education and tackling barriers that keep millions of children out of school.
The pledge was made in Abuja over the weekend during a strategic engagement between the UN team and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund, alongside the organisation’s executive team and board members.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, led a delegation comprising representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women. He stressed that sustainable development requires strong investment in human capital, particularly through education for girls.
“The UN reaffirms its support to the Malala Fund in advancing the right of the girl-child to quality education and breaking barriers to access. No child should be left behind,” Fall said. He identified insecurity, poverty, climate change, and socio-cultural norms as major obstacles, calling for greater efforts to promote gender equality and social cohesion.
Malala, who arrived in Abuja on September 26 for the Fund’s annual board meeting, reiterated Nigeria’s central role in its 2025–2030 global strategy. “Nigeria is a priority country for Malala Fund. Since 2014, we have invested over $8 million in Nigerian partner organisations working to break down barriers keeping girls out of school,” she stated.
She highlighted priorities for Nigeria, including: enabling married and pregnant girls to return to school, boosting education financing, and using education as a tool to end child marriage.
Malala Fund Nigeria CEO, Nabila Aguele, reinforced the organisation’s goal of ensuring every girl completes 12 years of education, with emphasis on rights and resources for secondary education.
During her visit, Ms. Yousafzai is scheduled to meet with young girls and education advocates, as well as engage government and civil society leaders to push for policy reforms that accelerate progress on girls’ education nationwide.
