Nobel Peace Laureate and global education advocate, Malala Yousafzai, has arrived in Abuja for a series of engagements centered on advancing girls’ education in Nigeria.
The visit, which includes meetings with the Board of Directors of the Malala Fund, will also feature interactions with young Nigerian girls and education advocates supported by the foundation.
Malala is also scheduled to meet with key government officials and civil society leaders as part of efforts to accelerate progress in the education sector.
Nankwat Dakum, Communications Manager for the Malala Fund, emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in the foundation’s forthcoming global strategy for 2025–2030. He noted that since 2014, the Malala Fund has invested over $8 million in local initiatives aimed at dismantling barriers to girls’ education.
“Nigeria is a priority country in Malala Fund’s global strategy (2025–2030),” Dakum stated, adding that Malala’s visit comes at a critical time when stakeholders are renewing their commitments to keeping girls in school.
Under the new five-year plan, the Fund has committed $50 million globally, with a significant portion allocated to Nigeria. The initiative aims to reinforce local advocacy, increase education financing, and support girls—especially those impacted by early marriage—to complete 12 years of schooling.
Founded in 2013 by Malala and her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, the Malala Fund has continued to lead advocacy for free, safe, and quality education for every girl around the world.
Malala last visited Nigeria in 2021, where she met with state leaders and urged them to declare a state of emergency in the education sector to address the challenges facing millions of girls across the country.
