Every year, on October 11th, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child (IDG), a day dedicated to highlighting the unique challenges girls face in accessing education, empowerment opportunities, and social inclusion. This day serves as a reminder to duty bearers and stakeholders of their crucial roles in supporting girls, enabling them to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. The theme for the 2024 IDG, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” brings into focus the importance of empowering girls, not just for their well-being, but as a vital foundation for the peace and development of society.

On Thursday 23 May 2024, DAI held a live panel discussion on Strengthening Nigerian Education Systems to Deliver at Scale. This was a hybrid event, which attracted a very successful external attendance and participation in the Q&A. The session, moderated by Programme Director, Zehra Zaidi, featured the National Team Lead, Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, Dr Nguyan Feese; the Commissioner for Education in Kaduna State, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello; Senior Education Adviser, British High Commission in Nigeria, Ian Attfield; and the Country Director, DAI Nigeria, Dr Joe Abah.

Malam Musa teaches at a Community Learning Hub, an initiative under the FCDO-funded Partnership for Learning for All (PLANE) programme. These Community Learning Hubs provide a safe space for both in-school and out-of-school children to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) project makes the community learning festivals possible. At the close of the school year in July 2023, PLANE staff worked with local leaders and community members to host learning festivals, giving students the chance to show their communities what they had learned.

A delegation from the British High Commission, PLANE and DAI was in Jigawa State on Wednesday, 8 November, to show support to the state government as it begins the roll-out of transformative education reforms under the new administration’s 12-point agenda. The team met with the Governor, Malam Umar Namadi and his cabinet members, and attended an Education Reform Dialogue convened by the Ministry of Basic Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in Jigawa State.