Nigeria

By Ibrahim Aisha 

Across much of Northern Nigeria, girls still face an invisible wall after secondary school. Parents’ fears, tight household budgets, and the pull of early marriage keep many daughters at home. Yet, data and role models reveal what is lost when the ambition of a female child is clipped.

For generations, education has been regarded as the key to progress and empowerment. Still, in conservative societies, the education of girls beyond the basics is often seen as unnecessary or even a threat to tradition despite government campaigns, NGO interventions, and success stories of women who have broken barriers.

The world has become a global village. Technology, digital communication, and international mobility have reshaped how we live and work. In this new reality, uneducated girls are left voiceless, powerless, and excluded from the spaces where contemporary women now thrive sitting in parliaments, leading global institutions, directing multinational companies, and innovating in science and technology.

Why, in 2025, do some communities still resist girls’ education?

The answer often lies in illiteracy. Parents who never had the privilege of education sometimes fail to see its value. Many fear what they do not understand. To them, sending a daughter to university feels like losing her to an unknown world.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics as at 2017 defined literacy as the percentage of people aged 15 and above who can read, write, and understand simple expressions in any language. A Punch Editorial Board report from September 2023 highlighted Nigeria’s poor education outlook: although the government claimed a national literacy rate of 69%, this figure hides wide regional disparities. 

According to a UNICEF report on the state of Nigeria’s children, 10.2 million primary school-aged children and 8.1 million secondary school-aged children are out of school in the country.Reports indicate that between 2020 and 2025, Northern Nigeria consistently recorded between five and seven million out-of-school girls, with only minor fluctuations despite ongoing efforts.

Socio-Cultural Impediments 

Household-level constraints on access to education are not entirely economic. Studies and surveys identify several socio-cultural factors: erosion of extended family solidarity, weakening societal values, and gender-related issues such as teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and perceptions about the “proper role” of women.

Northern Nigeria is still shaped by cultural practices harmful to women’s emancipation, including early and forced marriage, wife-inheritance, widowhood practices, lack of access to education, low enrollment rates, poor funding, inadequate facilities for persons with disabilities, and frequent disruptions caused by conflict and seasonal migration.

Stories from the Ground

The experiences of girls and women across the North reveal both the struggles and the possibilities of education.

Rahama Dajuma, a graduate, said that education had done everything for her. She now works with an NGO and is about to get married. She relieved her father from the stress of buying furniture for her wedding, and her fiancé is allowing her to keep her job.

Zainab Abubakar, a student, mother and a resident of Sabuwar Gwammaja, argued that girls should be asked their opinions because “you can force a horse to the riverbank but you cannot force it to drink.” She added that many parents above 60 in her community do not want their sons to marry women educated beyond secondary school, fearing such women will not be submissive.

Zakiyyah Al-Hassan, a resident of Chiranchi, shared that she is not educated but wants her child to go beyond secondary school. According to her, the world is changing and women should not be stuck in the kitchen, as educated women contribute to the home even before bringing in their salaries.

Fatima Abubakar, a student of the School of Hygiene, explained that she is the only one schooling out of nine children. Her father could not afford fees for all, so her siblings sacrificed for her.

Iya Aminatu, a resident of Kurna Kwachiri, revealed that none of her seven daughters went beyond junior secondary school because her husband is completely against it, and she could not object to his decision.

Malam Rafa’i, a local Islamic teacher and resident of Tsakuwa, said during a telephone interview that it is a waste of time and resources to send a girl to school when she should stay home and learn how to cook so as to be a perfect wife to her husband.

Fatima Haruna, a secondary school graduate, recalled that her elder sister Khadijah finished with flying colours and was promised that she could continue schooling. After marriage, her husband refused, saying he had no intention of letting her further her education. He had only used that promise to lure her into marriage. Since then, their father insists that no daughter can further her education unless her husband agrees.

The Road Ahead

These stories show that the real question has shifted from “Should girls be educated?” to “How fast can Northern Nigeria catch up?” Education experts and stakeholders warn that if the situation does not improve, Northern Nigeria risks falling further behind, with dire consequences for national development. The region needs more investment in infrastructure, security, and teacher training. Cultural reorientation campaigns must also be intensified to promote the value of education, especially for girls.

The answer lies in stronger government commitment, sustained community awareness, and the courage to challenge harmful traditions. Education is no longer a privilege. It is a necessity for survival in the global age. 

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ambushed a Nigerian Army convoy in Borno State on Friday night, reportedly kidnapping a serving brigadier general and killing several soldiers.

According to a report from HumAngle, a publication focused on conflict zones, the senior officer is a brigade commander who was leading the troops at the time of the attack.

Members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were also among the casualties.If verified, this incident would mark the first known instance of an extremist group in Nigeria capturing a serving general directly from the front lines.

While insurgents have killed high-ranking officers in the past, the abduction of one is exceptionally rare.

Nigerian military authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the ambush.

The number of soldiers killed remains unclear, and the Army spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

By Ishaka Mohammed

A man serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has come under fire for publicly threatening to sleep with his female secondary school students, whom he considered voluptuous.

According to a Nigerian Army officer and Facebook user, Kolawole Oludare Stephen, the Corps member, Oyaje Daniel (KD/25A/0494), currently serves at Judeen International School, Mando, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The officer tagged the NYSC in a Facebook post for urgent action.

Another Facebook user, Ọluchi Eze, who tagged the NYSC in a post, mentioned Oyaje Daniel as a Corps member in a secondary school in Kaduna State.

Reacting to Ọluchi Ezeʼs post, the Corps member, with the Facebook name Comr Oyaje Daniel, confirmed his local government of national service and tendered an apology, but expressed shock at people’s judgment of his character.  “I am shocked by the news surrounding my character, and I want to assure everyone that I am not a rapist or a perpetrator of any form of abuse,” part of the post reads.

While some Facebook users considered him remorseful and deserving of forgiveness, others called for penalties. 

The Daily Reality gathered that Comr Oyaje Daniel had earlier commented on a Facebook post in which he had threatened to sleep with any SSS 3 female students who failed to “coordinate” themselves, stressing how their bodies were more voluptuous than those of 400 level undergraduates.

At the time of filing this report, the National Youth Service Corps has yet to comment on the matter.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

One day before the elective convention of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the party to stop it is planned convention preparations and sell the form of the chairman to the former governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and screen him.‎‎

The seating was presided by Justice Peter Life by 2:12 pm and the judgement added that the tomorrow’s convention of the party will be null and voided if the party failed to adhere with the court judgement and the judge asked INEC to distance itself with the convention.

‎‎Sule Lamido who is a former governor of Jigawa and former minister of Foreign Affairs during Obasanjo’s democratic regime and one of the founding fathers of the party has disagreed with the consensus of Northwest Caucus of the party under Zamfara state governor, Lawal Dare in which the caucus unanimously agreed that Tanimu Turaki is the consensus candidate of the chairman of the party that is zoned to northwest, the agreement that resulted in denying to sell the chairmanship form to Lamido.‎‎

By Lawal Dahiru Mamman

Nigeria has long been a fascinating case study. Over the past two years, citizens have endured austerity. Government officials, whenever handed the microphone, have often likened the experience to that of a child who must first endure the prick of a needle before receiving the protection of a vaccine.

At the macro level, things are taking shape. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently reported the highest Net Foreign Exchange Reserve (NFER) in over three years. According to the April report, the figure marked an increase from $3.99 billion at the end of 2023 to $8.19 billion in 2022 and $14.59 billion in 2021. 

Analysts say this reflects a substantial improvement in the country’s external liquidity, reduced short-term obligations, and renewed investor confidence. The naira, which had been on a steep downward path toward ₦2,000, has rebounded to around ₦1,400—its strongest level in months—as it rallies against the dollar in both official and parallel markets. 

It is on track to end the year on a firm note, buoyed by the growing forex reserves. Additionally, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate dropped to 18.02% in September 2025, while also announcing an increase in its Consumer Price Index (CPI)—a measure of the change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has also recorded a growth rate of 3.13 per cent, particularly following the rebasing exercise. Despite these improvements, the common argument remains that such progress has not truly trickled down to the micro level.

Most recently, however, food prices in markets across the country have begun to decline—particularly for rice, a staple that holds a special place in Nigerian households. While consumers have welcomed the news with relief, there is a flipside: farmers are crying out.

In truth, while lower prices delight the markets, they have left many farmers struggling to recover their investments. The government attributes the decline to increased local production through its interventions. Although the federal government opened a window for zero-duty importation of food items, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, insists that the fall in prices is due to large-scale agricultural investments under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) Agro-Pocket programme.

Farmers, however, tell a different story. They argue that the massive importation of food items has driven down local prices and left them incurring heavy losses. This is why, as a nation, we must proceed with caution. In reality, low prices can discourage cultivation—especially during periods of high input costs—threatening future harvests and deepening food insecurity.

There must be a balance between food security, farmers’ prosperity, and government intervention. Farmers should be supported through affordable credit, agricultural extension services, and guaranteed market access. The distribution of fertiliser to smallholders and the deployment of new tractors to Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres will further help to reduce production costs and increase efficiency.

The current situation presents an apparent dilemma. While lower prices may bring short-term relief to consumers, prolonged losses could cripple agricultural productivity and strengthen dependence on imports—placing Nigeria’s food future at risk.

In all that we do, we must choose our approach carefully. Do we import food items to slash prices and win temporary public approval, if indeed such imports are genuine? Or do we double down on domestic production to achieve true self-sufficiency—especially in crops we can grow ourselves?

We must choose our pills carefully. Agriculture was once abandoned for oil, and we paid dearly for importing refined products while neglecting local refineries. Now that there is renewed interest in cultivation, we must not repeat the same mistake.

Lawal Dahiru Mamman writes from Abuja. He can be reached via dahirulawal90@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has raised an alarm that the widespread consumption of animal hides and skins, popularly known as ponmo, is endangering Nigeria’s leather industry, valued at approximately $5 billion.

Speaking at the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo in Abuja on Thursday, Professor Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), stated that the practice strips local industries of the vital raw materials required for leather production and export.

Ikemounso revealed that the Nigerian leather goods market, valued at $2.79 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $4.96 billion by 2033.

He warned that this projected growth is at risk if the diversion of hides for food continues.“From an economic and industrial standpoint, cowhides are one of Nigeria’s most valuable raw materials,” Ikemounso said.

“Sadly, the continuous diversion of hides for ponmo consumption denies our industries access to quality raw materials, weakens our tanning and leather manufacturing sector, and diminishes Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global leather market.”

He emphasized that the campaign, tagged “Wear, Not Eat Your Leather,” is a strategic move to channel hides and skins into industrial use for national economic benefit, not an attack on cultural or dietary preferences.

Beyond the economic argument, the DG raised significant health concerns, describing ponmo as a food item with little to no nutritional value. He cautioned that many hides processed for consumption are treated with toxic substances like formalin and diesel.

“These pose serious health risks ranging from organ damage to increased risk of cancer,” Ikemounso warned.

The leather industry is considered one of Nigeria’s most promising non-oil sectors, with the potential to be a major source of export revenue and job creation, but the government fears the popularity of ponmo is stifling its full potential.

By Anas Abbas

A man identified as Isma’il Dahiru Ajingi has been re-arraigned before the State High Court at the Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano State on allegations of killing his father.

The arraignment follows investigations by the Kano State Government into the incident.

Although details of the alleged motive and the exact date of the offence were not publicly disclosed at the time of filing, the prosecution has brought forward the charge of homicide under the applicable provisions of the Penal Code.

The court hearing is now underway, with the accused remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The case highlights serious concerns over domestic violence and filial conflict, prompting calls from stakeholders for heightened public awareness and stronger preventive measures.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has called for stronger collaboration with social media influencers and content creators to improve the dissemination of health information during disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

This was made known by the Director General of the KNCDC, Professor Muhammad Abbas, during the second day of a three-day workshop on developing an Outbreak Communication Framework and Media Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Professor Abbas explained that influencers and digital content creators have the capacity to make health messages spread rapidly across different audiences through social media platforms. He added that this strategy aligns with modern audience segmentation, noting that Generation Z are more exposed to digital media than their parents, and can help convey accurate information to older populations who mainly rely on traditional media such as radio.

“The impact of influencers and content creators on social media should not be underrated. They can help amplify health messages and bridge communication gaps between institutions and communities. However, when choosing the influencers, we should consider those who value our norms, culture and religion and the message too should be culturally sensitive,” he said.

Also speaking, a media expert and editor of The Daily Reality newspaper, Aisar Fagge, backed the idea, emphasizing the need for a multi-dimensional communication strategy in public health campaigns, especially during emergencies.

Fagge pointed out that while the content of a message is vital, the identity of the messenger greatly influences public acceptance. He recalled past experiences where mistrust toward government-led health programs affected public response.

“People sometimes react negatively to health campaigns not because of the message itself, but because of who delivers it. Remember what happens during polio immunization and COVID-19. Therefore, engaging trusted influencers and content creators will make the communication more relatable and credible,” he stated.

The workshop, which gathered communication specialists, journalists, and health officials, was designed to strengthen Kano State’s capacity for effective risk communication and community engagement during health emergencies.

By Wathrayel Bassi Amos‎‎‎

Social media was once celebrated as a force for empowerment, creativity, and free expression. Yet beneath that promise lies a sophisticated system—the algorithm—engineered to keep users endlessly engaged. This unseen mechanism values attention over awareness, pushing content that evokes the strongest emotions: anger, envy, or desire. In today’s digital landscape, shock value has become the new form of currency. The more sensational the content, the greater its reach.‎‎

The algorithm, devoid of moral judgment, amplifies whatever sustains attention the longest—even when it undermines social values. From sexually suggestive dance trends to prank videos glorifying deceit, the boundary between entertainment and immorality grows increasingly faint.

Traditional moral guides—parents, teachers, and religious leaders—now struggle to rival platforms that reward sensationalism over substance. Never has indecency been so readily available, flooding timelines without consent. Some entertainers even release explicit material intentionally, using controversy as a marketing tool. In this new age, modesty has lost its worth, while moral decay is repackaged as strategy.

‎‎Cultural and religious voices continue to warn against this decline. They decry how virtues like humility, discipline, and community spirit are being replaced by an obsession with digital recognition. Success is now measured not by integrity but by influence—the size of one’s following. This transformation goes beyond behavior; it is reshaping the psyche of the youth, cutting them off from the moral and cultural foundations that once defined Nigerian identity.‎‎

The dominance of globalized online content represents a quieter form of cultural colonization. Though Nigeria is politically free, its digital life remains governed by algorithms designed abroad—systems detached from local values. These digital gatekeepers decide what trends, what sells, and what the public sees. Some nations, like China, have moved to restrict foreign platforms to safeguard their moral and cultural integrity.‎‎

Nigeria’s youth—the nation’s largest population segment—now grow up in virtual spaces where moral responsibility is optional and validation is everything. Many define themselves not by character, empathy, or contribution, but by the currency of likes, followers, and views. Digital popularity has replaced moral virtue as the new standard of worth.

‎‎To secure its future, Nigeria must reshape its digital culture around responsibility rather than recklessness. Social media should serve as a platform for enlightenment, not erosion—a space that uplifts intellect instead of promoting indecency. The internet must return to its true purpose: a marketplace of ideas, not a stage for moral decline.‎‎

Wathrayel Bassi Amos wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri. ‎

By Wathrayel Bassi Amos

‎The recent altercation between Minister Nyesom Wike and a young Naval officer exposes the deeper structural flaws troubling Nigeria’s democracy. This was not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a long-standing decay—marked by the misuse of law enforcement agencies and the erosion of democratic principles.

Nigerians have watched security operatives act in ways that raise doubts about where their true loyalty lies: to the nation, the law, or to those in positions of power.‎‎In present-day Nigeria, it often takes only a minor disagreement for an influential figure to unleash security agents to pursue personal interests.

From Lagos to Kogi, Rivers, and Abuja, we have witnessed operatives carrying out unlawful instructions for political or private gain. This impunity thrives on the weakening of democratic institutions and the deepening divisions within the political system.‎‎

Regardless of the situation, Minister Wike had no justification for personally confronting military officers executing a lawful directive from their command. As a senior government official, he was expected to act with restraint and pursue the proper channels.

If he believed that the land in question was unlawfully acquired by a former Naval Chief, the appropriate step would have been to compile evidence and submit it to relevant authorities or the courts.‎‎

Ideally, Wike could have written formally to the Minister of Defence to request an investigation, or sought redress through legal means—if the matter was not already under litigation. However, by storming the site with armed escorts and verbally abusing a commissioned officer, even calling him a “fool,” the Minister displayed poor judgment and conduct unbecoming of his office.‎‎

This episode underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s democracy and the rising public resentment toward the political class. While the government has a legitimate duty to demolish illegal structures in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond, such actions must always respect due process and human rights.

‎‎Beyond Wike’s behavior, the incident also exposes the equally troubling misuse of state resources by powerful figures. It was wrong for a former Chief of Naval Staff to deploy serving officers—funded by taxpayers—to secure a private property under dispute. Such acts represent the growing trend of elites using national security assets for personal protection and gain.‎‎

No serious nation should condone the disgraceful scene that unfolded between Wike and the Naval officer. It tarnishes Nigeria’s image and erodes public trust in governance. The President must act decisively to end this culture of impunity.

True leadership demands composure, adherence to due process, and respect for democratic values. When public officials behave as masters rather than servants of the people, the very foundations of governance begin to collapse.

‎‎Wathrayel Bassi Amos wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri. ‎