The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has reaffirmed that Islam strongly supports the education of the girl child. He made this statement during the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project event held in Bauchi on Thursday. The program was organized by the Ministry of Education with backing from the World Bank.
The Sultan highlighted the need for clarity and understanding regarding the misconceptions surrounding girl child education in some areas. He stated:
“Islam is not against the education of the girl child. However, there are certain barriers preventing this issue from being adequately addressed in various regions, including here. The primary focus should be on how education is being implemented and on raising awareness among the people.”
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Sharing his observations, the Sultan recounted his journey to the event:
“As I was arriving here, I noticed children hawking goods on the streets. Curious, I approached some of them, and they explained that they attend school in shifts, either in the morning or afternoon. This highlights the need for us to have serious conversations about improving access and quality in education.”
He stressed the societal benefits of empowering girls through education, saying:
“Educating the girl child is one of the most impactful decisions a society can make. An educated girl contributes significantly to societal development by taking care of herself, her family, and her community.”
The Sultan’s remarks underscore the critical role education plays in fostering empowerment and progress for all, particularly for girls. His message serves as a call to action for stakeholders to prioritize inclusive education and overcome existing challenges.
