By Desire Uzochukwu
The Coalition of Civil Society Action for Education for All (CSACEFA), Lagos State Chapter, has called for increased investment in girls’ education, stronger child protection and coordinated action to end child marriage and ensure every girl has access to quality education.
The coalition made the call at its Lagos Education Summit and International Day of the Girl Child 2026, held on Tuesday, October 13, at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Hall, Maryland, Lagos.
The summit, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” brought together government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners, educators and students to discuss barriers to girls’ education and strategies for building a more inclusive education system.
Speaking at the event, CSACEFA Lagos Coordinator, Stella Olubunmi Francis, described girls’ education as an investment in families and society, stressing that no child should be denied quality education because of gender, background or personal circumstances.
She expressed concern about the stigma faced by pregnant schoolgirls and called for policies that would enable them to continue their education.
“There is a lot of stigma and shame, but these children should not be denied education because of their pregnancies. We need to create more opportunities for them to continue their education,” Francis said.
Lagos government reaffirms commitment to children’s rights
Representing the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr Akeem Babatunde Shittu, the board’s secretary, Lamidi Akeem, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and expanding access to basic education.
“The Lagos State Government has already domesticated the Child Rights Act. Every government agency saddled with responsibilities concerning children, particularly SUBEB, has a role to play,” Akeem said.
He acknowledged the role of civil society organisations and development partners in addressing educational challenges, particularly efforts to reintegrate out-of-school children into the school system.
FIDA lawyer seeks stronger action against child marriage
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs Olubola Afolabi, a lawyer and member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, called for stronger child protection measures, legal accountability and improved access to education as part of efforts to end child marriage.
She urged stakeholders to examine the circumstances that expose girls to early marriage and the consequences for their education, rights and future opportunities.
“Why does child marriage happen? What happens to the girls? These are the questions I want us to ask ourselves,” Afolabi said.
She stressed the need for stakeholders to address the underlying factors that sustain the practice and strengthen measures to protect girls from harmful practices.
Stakeholders seek inclusive education funding
Margaret ChiChi Nkire, CSACEFA Lagos Provost and Founder of LEADIN AFRICA, said the summit was designed to strengthen gender-responsive education financing and inclusive budgeting in Lagos State and Nigeria, drawing on international benchmarks.
During a panel session she moderated, participants called for rights-based education policies, the removal of hidden fees that undermine free education, improved school retention and stronger support for pregnant, married and parenting girls.
They also advocated measures to ensure that girls who leave school because of pregnancy, marriage or parenting responsibilities can return to education without discrimination.
Nkire emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration between government agencies, civil society groups and development partners to address persistent inequalities in education.
“We hope that beyond this summit, we will have better coordination among stakeholders. We have Plan International, Save the Children, the British Council, SUBEB, the National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders here today,” she said.
Representing Plan International Nigeria, Aishatu Usman Bukar highlighted the need for adequate and sustainable education funding, gender-responsive budgeting and measures to remove financial barriers affecting girls and vulnerable households.
The discussions underscored the importance of translating policy commitments into practical interventions that enable girls to enrol in school, remain in education and complete their studies.
Student calls for greater opportunities for girls
A student participant, Esther Matthew, said the summit had broadened her understanding of the opportunities available to girls beyond marriage.
“I have learnt that being a girl child is not only about marriage. A girl can stand on her own, become a business owner and achieve whatever she wants in the future,” Matthew said.
Speaking on the message, “See Something, Say Something,” she pledged to intervene where possible when she encounters situations that threaten children’s safety and to report cases beyond her capacity to a teacher or another trusted adult.
Her remarks highlighted the importance of empowering girls to understand their rights, recognise harmful practices and seek help when necessary.
Diverse stakeholders participate
The summit featured discussions on child marriage, inclusive education and sustainable financing, alongside cultural dance and spoken-word performances by students celebrating the girl child.
Other participating organisations included Save the Children International Nigeria, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Child Protection Network (CPN) Lagos, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, mothers’ association representatives and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs).
The participants called for sustained collaboration to protect girls’ rights, remove barriers to education and ensure that every child has an opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.
The summit ended with a renewed call for stronger partnerships, improved education financing and practical action to ensure that child marriage, pregnancy, poverty and discrimination do not prevent girls from completing their education.
