Unconditional Cash Tranfer : UNICEF  Lifts  23,500 Girls 

Sola POPOOLA

The Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate has disclosed that no fewer than 23,500 girls were lifted out of poverty through the unconditional cash transfer programme .

Speaking at  the national closing ceremony of GEP3, held in Abuja, on Thursday, the partners reported that the programme’s investment of $109 milllion yielded positive results.

The Girl’s Education Programme Phase 3, GEP3, was implemented as a response to the low level of participation of girls in schools in six northern Nigerian states of Katsina, Kano, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara and Bauchi between 2012 and 2022.

The  support according  the International body was to reduce the level of poverty in the household, enabling families to send girls to school and enhanced the ability of women to generate additional domestic income

UNICEF also reiterated its  commitment in getting more girls into embracing  formal and non-formal schools in the country.

Munduate said: “GEP3 has not only been successful in getting more girls into formal and non-formal schools, but it has also improved learning outcomes. GEP3 has raised the profile of educated girls, created new positive social norms in many communities and enabled a transformational shift in mindsets about the importance of girls’ education. It is critical that we advocate scaling of the approach in all states.

“I express the deep appreciation of UNICEF to the UK Government for this long-term commitment and funding for girls’ access to primary school in northern Nigeria. Together there remains much work to be done, to ensure that girls transition to, and complete secondary education.

“This is important not only for the economic prosperity and wellbeing of the girl and her family, but to stem the high population growth expected in Nigeria. We see FCDO and the government of Nigeria as steadfast partners in this complex endeavour.”

The report also revealed that there was capacity building of Head teachers and teachers in the management of schools as well as delivery of effective learning for girls, unconditional cash transfer programme to support over 23,500 girls to reduce the level of poverty in the household, enabling families to send girls to school and enhanced the ability of women to generate additional domestic income etc.

Eatlier ,the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu said the FG is committed to providing solution in tackling the menace by making better decisions for the Girl-Child.

He said: “In our commitment to drastically reduce the number of Out of School Children, Nigeria appreciates the scaling of evidence-based solution in tackling this menace as provided through the GEP3.

“As we continue on this path, we would leverage on the success of GEP3 to plan better, budget better, and make better decisions in putting more Girl-Child in school.”

The Federal Ministry of Education, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, hinted that  an additional 1.5 milllion girls enrolled into schools in Northern Nigeria.