More than 30 Civil Society Organisations across the country — including Malala Fund and ONE Campaign — have called on the House of Representatives to extend the right to free education to senior secondary school.

The call was contained in a letter dated May 4, 2018, addressed to Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

The letter reads: “The evidence is clear: girls’ education grows economies, improves public health, reduces conflict and mitigates climate change.

“Educated girls are more likely to have healthy, educated children. Educating girls to the same level as boys could decrease the likelihood of conflict by over a third, and could benefit developing countries to the tune of at least $112 billion a year.

"Yet Nigeria only provides its children with the right to nine years of free education. This is not enough. It is not enough for the future prosperity of our country — and it not enough for the millions of girls fighting for their futures.

“In July 2017, the National Assembly Senate passed an amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act, which would extend the right to free education from nine years to 12 years for all children in Nigeria. It would also ease financial pressure and resource constraints on the states, and help them access federal funds allocated through the Universal Basic Education Commission.

“Before this amendment can become law, it must also pass through the House of Representatives and receive presidential assent. However, the passed Senate bill (SB 324 & 307) has neither been presented on the House of Representatives (HoR) floor nor scheduled for any further action by the Honourable Representatives.

“Today we call on you, Most Revered Honourable Speaker, to throw your full weight behind the amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act to improve domestic investment in education and expand the federal mandate to 12 years of free, compulsory education. Your support is essential in ensuring an accelerated hearing and speedy passage.

“Given your leadership in championing education, we trust that you will once again advance the future peace and prosperity of Nigeria by investing in the education of its girls and boys.”

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