We are crowdfunding to support girls and young women in Nigeria between ages 6 and 25 to attain their educational aspirations.

The challenge

According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, poverty is one of the most significant barriers to education opportunities for girls in Nigeria, as school fees are prohibitive, contributing to families' decisions to keep their daughters at home or discontinue their education.

I've experienced this struggle first-hand.

I completed my secondary education in 1997 at age 15, having attended a government school for girls in Lagos, Nigeria.

I almost did not complete secondary education. My dad lost his job, we lost our home, and my mum, a schoolteacher, struggled against all odds to keep my siblings and me in school. Family members helped when they could, providing a place to stay and supporting with feeding.

To make ends meet, we bought food on credit, struggling to pay such credit back. I helped by selling homemade snacks to classmates and walking about 8 kilometres to school daily. My older sibling, at age 15, worked menial jobs to support the family and save up for university.

With the support of family and friends, I finished secondary school and secured admission to one of Nigeria's top universities. Many classmates weren't as fortunate; some dropped out, married early, or joined the workforce immediately.

University life was tough—my mum could barely afford the fees. I got through school through initiatives like this and with help from family and friends.

Now, 27 years after finishing my secondary education, I'm graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a PhD in Management with the highest of honours—an achievement that seemed almost unattainable for that unsure, starry-eyed 15-year-old girl.

The goal

As a first-generation PhD who has experienced poverty, I understand the fear of not being able to complete an education. Today, the barriers are stacked even higher for girls in Nigeria. In 2023, over 87 million Nigerians were estimated to be living below the poverty line—making Nigeria the world's largest poor population, second only to India. The recent devaluation of Nigeria's currency has also led to a high cost of living and insecurity- meaning that more girls may drop out of school.

This initiative aims to support girls in Nigeria from primary to tertiary education at the undergraduate level. The funds raised will help provide educational materials, tuition fees, and other resources directly related to learning and educational attainment for up to 100 girls across the country's six geopolitical zones.

How can you help?

You can help by donating, sharing this funding drive and telling others about it. The initial funding drive will run from now to November 2024.

How will the funds be distributed?

A committee of respected professionals will be established to ensure a transparent process for allocating the funds received to those who need them the most.

Future plans

The next step is to establish a charity in the UK and Nigeria to support this cause. It is hoped that the support provided can be extended to women seeking to pursue postgraduate degrees, including Master's and PhD programmes.

Your donation can make a world of difference.