The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has reiterated that Islam supports girl-child education, calling it crucial for societal progress. 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 World Bank support.

Addressing misconceptions about Islam’s stance on female education, the Sultan stated, “Islam is not against the education of the girl-child. The main issue lies in how education is implemented and communicated to the people.”

The event, themed “Overcoming Social and Cultural Norms on Girl Education in the North East Zone: Roles of Traditional and Religious Leaders,” focused on eliminating barriers to girl-child education in the region.

The Sultan expressed concern over children seen hawking during school hours, emphasizing the need for a collective effort. “Educating the girl-child is essential. She will not only take care of herself and her family but also contribute to the betterment of the community, transcending ethno-religious differences,” he said.

He also urged northern governors to prioritize increased funding for education to address barriers affecting girls and other children.

In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving girl-child education. He highlighted accomplishments since 2019, including the construction of over 5,000 classroom blocks and renovations of many others.

Governor Mohammed commended the contributions of traditional and religious leaders in promoting school enrollment, retention, and completion among girls, stressing the need for continued collaboration to ensure educational progress across Bauchi and the northern region.