Ziauddin Yousafzai, co-founder and board member of the Malala Fund, has urged Nigerian fathers, religious leaders, and government authorities to support girls’ education, highlighting its transformative potential for the nation.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Saturday, on the critical role of education in driving economic and social progress, Yousafzai said, “This country’s leaders, everyone, should realise that girls’ education is the most important phenomenon. There is a data that if we educate all girls in Nigeria for 12 years, Nigeria can add 100 billion to its economy every year.”
He stressed the importance of parental support, particularly from fathers, noting that a girl’s first encounter with a man is often with her father.
He said, “My first message to every father, and especially to all Nigerian fathers, is don’t clip the wings of your daughters. Be their support, and support them. And the second is to provide a conducive environment for them to learn, to grow, to thrive, to be themselves. Because when a baby girl is born, her first encounter with a man is her father. And if that father believes in her potential, she will never doubt herself. And if that father believes in her freedom, nobody can change her spirit,”
Yousafzai called for collective action, urging everyone in Nigeria to create a conducive environment for girls to learn, thrive, and realise their potential.
“Fathers, religious leaders, government authorities, we all have to come together to support girls’ education. There are a lot of issues, but as a father, as an educator, what I know is this. That if we invest in girls’ education, it not only changes their lives and their family and community lives, it changes everyone’s life. And if we want to see this country rich, we must invest in education,” he stated.
“When we change the world for girls, the girls change our world. So, that’s why I see a huge potential. There may be some difficulties, challenges.”
He also encouraged support for the Malala Fund, which works to expand educational opportunities for girls across the world, as a way to strengthen public-private partnerships in Nigeria for lasting change. “I will request everyone in this country to support the Malala Fund, because we are partners,” he stated.
Melissa Enoch
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