The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Aisha Garba, has said girls who drop out of school should not be regarded as lost causes, stressing the need to provide them with opportunities to return to education.
Garba stated this on Saturday during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
She described the facility as a second-chance pathway for girls and young women whose education had been interrupted by early pregnancy, socio-economic challenges and other circumstances.
“A girl who drops out of school should not be regarded as a lost cause. A young mother who wants to return to school should not be told that her time has passed. A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given an alternative opportunity to return to education,” Garba said.
She explained that the school provides beneficiaries with opportunities to return to learning, complete their education, acquire vocational skills and build productive futures.
Garba traced the vision behind the school to 2007, during the tenure of Senator Oluremi Tinubu as First Lady of Lagos State, and commended her sustained commitment to girls’ education and empowerment.
She said the initiative also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and human capital development among national priorities.
The UBEC boss acknowledged the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who represented the First Lady at the event, for her commitment to education and vulnerable children.
She also commended the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for supporting educational and mentorship initiatives for young people.
The rehabilitated school comprises two blocks with more than 26 classrooms, facilities for Agriculture, Physics and Biology, as well as vocational training areas for cosmetology, garment-making, hairdressing, catering and home economics.
The school also has a library and ICT facilities to support academic learning and practical skills development.
Garba disclosed that work was ongoing on another Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu, Lagos State, as part of efforts to expand access to alternative education.
Representing the First Lady, Hajiya Nana Shettima described the education of the girl child as paramount to nation building and appreciated UBEC for rehabilitating and equipping the school.
She recalled that the institution was established to enable girls affected by early pregnancy and socio-economic challenges to return to school, complete their secondary education and acquire vocational skills.
She urged the students to remain focused and resilient, stressing that their past experiences should not determine their future.
Also speaking, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who represented the Lagos State Governor, described the commissioning as the opening of new opportunities for young women.
She said the rehabilitation had restored dignity to the institution and created new possibilities for its beneficiaries, adding that educating a girl strengthens the individual, family, community and nation.
Garba reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to working with state governments and other stakeholders to expand alternative education, improve learning environments and strengthen skills acquisition programmes for girls and young women across Nigeria.
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