Girl-Child Education and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Study of Gender disparity in Education

Blessing Chugo Idigo Ph.D; Collins Ekene Okelue; Iteke Wilson Chibuzor

doi:10.56201/jpslr.vol.12.no1.2026.pg89.109

📄 Download Paper

Girl-Child Education and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Study of Gender disparity in Education

Blessing Chugo Idigo Ph.D, Collins Ekene Okelue, Iteke Wilson Chibuzor

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to advance the study of girl-child education beyond the challenges of exclusion to include how the education will advance sustainable development. Specifically, the study examines the Girl-child Education and Sustainable Development Goal 4.5, its realization and attainment of gender disparity/equality, elimination of all forms of discrimination in Nigerian education by ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable groups. The study relied on the theoretical preposition of social exclusion in its justification, as the theoretical framework of analysis. The study adopted qualitative descriptive analysis, while data were generated through secondary sources like journal articles, text books, internet sources and other institutional documents. The study demonstrates that; socio-economic and cultural factors create gender disparity in education and; that education of the girl child will aid sustainable development in Nigeria. Amongst, the study recommended for an implementation of a rigid and functional education and discriminatory policies that will allow the girl child full participation in the society without fear of exclusion, the study also recommends that global partnership, national and private joint effort towards seeing to equal and universal education be encouraged for the sake of sustainability and increase in national development.

Keywords

Social exclusionGirl-childSustainable developmentGender disparityNigeria

References

Action aid (2012). Transforming education for girls in Nigeria: end line research summary report action-aid: London. Ada, N.A (2007). Gender power and politics in Nigeria. Markurdi: Aboki publishers British Council, (2012). Gender Equality in Nigeria Report. Abuja Girls Education in Nigeria. Issues, influencers and action Bonn, O.N, Ezeibe, C.C, Aniche, E.T, and Iwuoha, V.C. (2018). Political inquiry and research methodology: logic, design, processes, methods and approaches: parakletosimmunis drive, Enugu, Nigeria. Enejere, E. (1991). Women and political education in D.O Chizea and J. Njokwu, . Nigerian women and the challenges of overtime, Lagos: Malt House Press ltd Girl’s education in Nigeria, (2014). Issues influences and actions. Retrieved March, 20, 2025 from British-council-girls-education-nigeria report-pdf. Idigo, B.C., (2024). Nigeria- South African bilateral relation: A study of Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. International Journal of Innovative Legal & Political Studies, 12(2), pp. 62-76, www.seahipaj.org Idigo, B.C., (2024). Bureaucratic Corruption and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria: A Study of Buhari Administration. International Journal of Innovative Legal & Political Studies, 12(4), pp. 39-52, www.seahipublications.org Idigo, B.C., (2024). Cross Border Migration and Human Security in Nigeria. Journal of Education, Humanities, Management & Social Sciences , 2(4), pp. 37-60. Idigo, B.C., Okelue, C.E., Godspower. E.I., & Chibuzor, I.W. (2025). Trans-Atlantic migration and the rights of women in Nigeria, 2015-2025. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 12(10), pp.448-456 Ifijeh, G.I. & Osayande, O. (2011). Issues in Girl-child education in Nigeria: Implication for library and information support. Sabinet African Journal. 9(2) ISSN: 2276-9684 MDG3. Retrieved from mdgmonitor.org/mdg-3.pro12:05pm on Tuesday 23/10/2025 Nigeria Sustainable Development Goals Indicator Baseline Report 2016. Nnaa, B.G., & Abeki, S.O (2019). Good governance as a panacea for sustainable development in a recessed economy: focus on Nigeria. ANSU journal of peace and development studies 4(1), 82-95. UN Women - United Nations Entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. Retrieved from un.org/womenwatch/daw/b 12/11/2025 by 7:39pm Universal Basic Education Commission. Retrieved February 26, 2025 from www.ubec.gov.ng. UNDP Millennium Development Goals Report (2015): Goal 3 promotes gender equality and empowers women. UNESCO (2014):Education For All Global Monitoring Report . Teaching and Learning for All. UNESCO, Paris. OECD netFWD(2019), “Philanthropy and Education-Quality Education For All :Lessons and Future priorities,” OECD Development Centre, Paris. Offorma, G. C., (2009). Girl-child education in Africa, A key note address presented at the conference of the federation of the University of WOMWNE of Africa held in Lagos, Nigeria. Okeke, E.A., Nzewi, U.M., & Njoku, Z. (2008). Tracking School Age children education status in Nigeria, UNICEF Okonkwo A.E & Idigo, B.C (2024) Erosion of Institutional Efficacy: The Nexus Between E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Governance Failures and Escalating Insecurity in Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research , 8(10), pp. 122-127

Girl-Child Education and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Study of Gender disparity in Education

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH