News

Over 120m Young Nigerians Aged 15-24 Can’t Read/Write — Expert

Published

3 years ago

May 19, 2023

A Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist and Public Health Physician, Mairo Mandara, has disclosed that over 120 million young Nigerians aged 15-24 cannot read or write.

Of the number, she said 60 percent which accounts for 72 million were females. She made this known at a round table engagement with traditional and interfaith leaders in advocating for partnership to improve human capital development through girl-child education, in Abuja.

Mandara, who also doubles as the Special Adviser and Coordinator, Sustainable Development, Partnerships and Humanitarian Response to Borno State Governor, said only 70 percent of children entering primary education in sub-Saharan Africa complete their education.

“significance of girls education in improving MNCH outcomes and fast-tracking Nigeria’s demographic transition” she revealed that in junior secondary schools, only 29.5 percent and in senior secondary schools only 13.9 percent complete schooling.

She added that, “The capacity of our schools to accommodate graduates of primary education at the secondary level in Africa is currently at 36 percent. Girls’ enrolment in secondary school is only between 30-35 percent and completion about 14 percent. Girls are particularly disadvantaged by societal dynamics that limit their participation in school.

“Nearly two-thirds of women in the North West and North East regions have no education, compared to less than 15 percent in the South-South. Drop-out rates are highest at the sixth grade of primary school and higher among girls than boys. Approximately 28 percent of girls between the ages of 15–19 are already married. 23 percent of girls aged 15-19 years are already mothers or pregnant with their first child.”

Mandara emphasised that it was important that young Nigerians especially the girl-child had a minimum education of at least secondary school.

This was she explained that improving girls’ education can lead to large changes, the empowerment of women and can have major effects on economic and social development.

According to her, “Studies have documented how education improves maternal and child health and improve the lives of women, children and families. Each year of secondary education reduces the likelihood of marrying as a child before the age of 18 by five percentage points or more.

“One extra year of schooling increases an individual’s earnings by up to 10 percent. A child born to a mother who can read and write is 50 percent more likely to survive past the age of 5.

“Women that have secondary education have higher rates of attending antenatal care, hospital delivery, immunize their children and seek medical care when they or their family are sick, use family planning and take more informed decision about life.

“Completion of Primary School has no statistically significant impact. A child born to a mother who can read and write is 50 percent more likely to survive past the age of 5, and that child is more likely to go to school. An educated child also does better financially.”

To this end, she urged fathers to take the lead by encouraging parents to ensure every child, especially the girl child at least completes secondary school.

Mandara said, “Our fathers, the ball is your courts. We need you to use your influence and ensure every ward has at least one full secondary school from JSS to SSS. Advocate for policy to make completion of secondary school as the minimum basic education not JSS as this has no significant impact on the lives of girls and improvement in maternal and child health. Please take the lead and improve the future of Nigeria and our communities.”

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.