Sultan advocates for girlchild education, debunks notion Islam is against it

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has emphasized the importance of girl child education, stating that Islam is not against it.

He made this statement on Thursday in Bauchi during the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, organized by the Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank.

According to Abubakar, “Islam is not against the education of the girl child. There are a couple of reasons the issue is not tackled here and in other states. The main thing is how it is being done to educate people.” He noted that the way education is presented and implemented can have a significant impact on its acceptance and effectiveness.

During his speech, Abubakar shared a personal experience that highlighted the importance of education. “When I was coming here, I saw some children hawking on the street, and I was wondering. I asked some of them, and they told me that they have morning and afternoon sessions at school.” This encounter, he said, reinforced his belief in the need to educate people about the importance of education.

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Abubakar emphasized that educating the girl child is crucial for the betterment of society. “Giving the girl child education is the best thing to do because she will use it to better the society as she will take care of herself, her family, and the community.”

He encouraged parents and guardians to prioritize education for their daughters, as it will have a positive impact on their lives and the society at large.

The Sultan’s statement is in line with Islamic teachings, which emphasize the importance of education for both men and women. In fact, Islam encourages women to seek knowledge and education, and many Muslim women have made significant contributions to various fields throughout history.

The AGILE project, which was launched in Bauchi, aims to promote girls’ education and empowerment in Nigeria. The project is part of the federal government’s efforts to improve education outcomes for girls in the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto’s statement highlights the importance of girl child education and debunks the notion that Islam is against it. As Abubakar emphasized, educating the girl child is crucial for the betterment of society, and it is essential that parents, guardians, and policymakers prioritize education for girls in Nigeria.

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