Out-of-school girls in Abuja: Lost dream of education and the burden of survival

In the heart of FCT-Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, lies a silent crisis, the growing number of out-of-school girls who, instead of attending classes, are forced into lives of child labour, street trading, and other menial jobs. These girls, mostly school dropouts who could not continue to junior or senior secondary schools, represent a neglected demographic whose […]

In the heart of FCT-Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, lies a silent crisis, the growing number of out-of-school girls who, instead of attending classes, are forced into lives of child labour, street trading, and other menial jobs. These girls, mostly school dropouts who could not continue to junior or senior secondary schools, represent a neglected demographic whose stories reflect poverty, displacement and exploitation.

Out-of-school girls in Abuja can be categorized into three main groups, each with its own unique struggles but united by the same fate: being deprived of their right to education.

The first group consists of indigenous girls; those born and raised within the city but whose families cannot afford the costs of schooling beyond the primary school level. Economic hardship pushes these girls out of classrooms and into the workforce, where they often end up as domestic workers or street traders.

The second group comprises migrant and internally displaced girls. Many of them fled regions plagued by insecurity, particularly the insurgency in the neighboring states such as Kaduna, Niger, and Northeast, arriving in Abuja with little more than hope for a better future. Sadly, instead of finding opportunities, they encounter more struggles as they are left to fend for themselves and their families, taking up jobs in markets, homes, or on the streets.

• Reps ask DisCos to place tertiary institutions on lower service-based tariff
• Kano LG poll: Electoral body awaits another court decision today

The third and perhaps the most alarming group are girls who are imported into Abuja for child labour. Commonly referred to as “house girls,” these young girls, aged between 13 and 21, are brought into the city by agents from neighbouring states like Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger and Plateau. These girls are employed in the homes of affluent families, where they cook, clean, bathe children, and run errands. Tragically, while these girls are involved in taking other children to school, their own chance at education is stolen from them. They work under grueling conditions, isolated from society, and treated with disrespect, particularly by the very children they care for.

The exploitation doesn’t stop there. Many of these house girls are subjected to sexual harassment by other workers or even family members in the homes they serve. In many cases, this leads to early and unwanted pregnancies, further complicating their lives and pushing them deeper into poverty and despair.

Meanwhile, a significant number of out-of-school girls have turned to street trading in markets and the satellite towns around Abuja. These girls sell groundnuts, sachet water, food items, and other goods, moving from one completed building to another uncompleted one, hoping to make enough money to survive. However, their street presence leaves them vulnerable to even greater dangers. Sexual harassment is rampant, and many girls have fallen victim to pregnancy and, in some extreme cases, ritual killings. Their dreams of returning to school are eclipsed by the daily need to make a living.

In Abuja’s satellite towns, it is common to see these girls working in restaurants, hotels, and small shops. Some of them are seen in the night clubs popularly known as “Gidan Gala” where they dance for money in areas such Deidei, Nyanya, Karo, Karmo, Zuba and Lugbe. When asked why they endure such hardship, many will tell you that they are trying to save money to pay for their WAEC, NECO, or JAMB exams. Some are even hopeful that they will someday return to school if they can save enough to pay the required fees. For others, the dream of education has long been buried under the weight of survival.

This is a crisis that should no longer be ignored. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) government needs to urgently address the growing issue of out-of-school girls. A blueprint for success already exists, as demonstrated by the governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, who introduced a free education policy for girls from primary to tertiary levels. This policy has not only increased school enrollment but also provided a sense of hope and security for girls in Jigawa. Such a policy can and should be replicated in the FCT, where the stakes are just as high.

The Minister of the FCT must also take a strong stand against child labour, particularly the exploitation of young girls. A task force should be established to conduct house-to-house searches, ensuring that girls of school age are not being deprived of their right to education. Employers and agents who exploit these girls must be held accountable, and strict penalties should be enforced against those who import girls into the FCT for labour.

Additionally, the financial barriers to education must be addressed. Examination fees for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB serve as one of the largest obstacles preventing many girls from completing their education. These fees should be either subsidized or eliminated entirely for out-of-school girls to give them a fighting chance at re-entering the educational system.

We must also remember that educating girls is not just about the individual, it is about the future of our society. When you educate a girl, you empower an entire community. Educated women are more likely to contribute positively to their families, communities, and the nation at large. They are less vulnerable to exploitation, better able to care for their children, and more likely to break the cycle of poverty.

The FCT administration and relevant stakeholders need to act now. Our girls deserve better than a life of domestic labour or street trading. They deserve access to education, opportunities to pursue their dreams, and a future filled with hope and promise. The time to invest in their future is now. Let us ensure that no girl is left behind. Free education, protection from exploitation, and opportunities for growth—this is the path to a brighter future for out-of-school girls in FCT.

 

Mukaddas can be reached through [email protected]