By Martha Agas, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Access to girl-child education remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, especially in the northern region.

Stakeholders attribute this to the patriarchal system, which places greater value on educating boys over girls.

According to a UNICEF report on the state of Nigeria’s children, 10.2 million primary school-aged children and 8.1 million secondary school-aged children are out of school in the country.

Of this number, the Malala Fund estimates that more than five million are girls, with the north contributing the majority.

Reports show that the highest numbers of out-of-school girls are in the North-East and North-West regions, where they face multiple barriers such as child marriage, poverty, gender-based violence, and insecurity.

States in the North-East and North-West have female primary net attendance rates of 47.7 per cent and 47.3 per cent, respectively, meaning that more than half of the girls are not in school.

Sadly, analysts note these challenges are further compounded by low levels of investment in education, inadequate school infrastructure, cultural norms, a shortage of teachers and practices that discourage attendance in formal education, especially for girls.

While these challenges have been the focus of various interventions, experts argue that data from the past five years shows no visible improvement in access to girl-child education across the country.

Reports indicate that between 2020 and 2025, Northern Nigeria consistently recorded between five and seven million out-of-school girls, with only minor fluctuations despite ongoing efforts.

To foster meaningful progress in the region, stakeholders note that alongside a locally tailored, multi-faceted strategy, deliberate efforts must be made to engage men as active allies to champion girls’ education.

They say to strengthen efforts, it is imperative to engage men who hold key roles in families, communities, and governance as active supporters and advocates.

Also, education experts observe that in many northern communities, men, especially fathers, brothers, and other male relatives play a key role in deciding whether girls attend or remain in school.

As such, securing their support is crucial to reducing dropout rates and delaying early marriage.

Mrs Keturah Shammah, Executive Director of Girls Education Mission (GEM) International, affirmed that men’s influence within families, religious spaces, and policy circles can either open doors or close them for the girl child.

According to Shammah, male leaders shape policies as most political, religious, and traditional leaders are men, and they have the authority to enact and implement pro-girl policies, mobilise community resources for schools and champion girls’ education from the pulpit and the palace.

Their support, she says, can help reinterpret cultural norms that restrict girls’ education and promote inclusive practices.

Other analysts strongly agree that fathers play a crucial role in promoting girls’ education.

They say, those who value and support their daughters’ schooling can inspire other families, while personal testimonies from such fathers can help shift attitudes in communities that are resistant to change.

An advocate of girls’ education based in Bauchi State, Seun Onarinde, noted that in the North, men are the breadwinners in over 70 per cent of households.

They serve as religious leaders in most mosques, and as community heads whose words often resolve disputes and shape direction.

“So, when a father says, ‘My daughter must go to school’, it carries weight. When an Imam preaches that girls’ education is not against Islam, people listen.

“When a husband supports his wife’s dreams, the whole community begins to rethink its limits on women.

“We need more men to champion this movement, and when strong and influential men speak up not just in policy rooms but in their homes and streets, change happens faster,” he said.

Similarly, Benjamin John, an advocate based in Borno, supported this view.

He said men are the custodians of culture, religion, and the economic foundation of most households.

“If men decide that girls in the family will not go to school, that decision often stands,” he said.

John explained that men may tell their wives that educating a girl adds no value, and in some cases, the wives might agree.

As a result, these girls are sometimes made to hawk to bring in additional income for the family.

“But if men in rural areas are actively involved in ensuring that girls have access to education, it will lead to meaningful outcomes in those communities,” he said.

According to him, culture, religion, and poverty are three key factors where men wield significant influence.

To further drive access, gender advocates note that men can play key roles in creating safer environments by standing against gender-based violence in schools and along the routes girls take to and from school.

Other stakeholders say men can serve as role models for boys by shaping their attitudes to recognise that girls deserve the equal respect and opportunities to attend school.

This, they say, is key to raising a generation that values education for all.

In this light, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Co-founder of the Malala Fund, recently visited Nigeria to engage with traditional and religious leaders, local partners, and civil society advocates on advancing girls’ education.

The fund was co-founded in 2013 by Malala and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai.

It is rooted in Malala’s personal journey from a small town in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, where she survived a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012 for advocating girls’ education, to becoming a global advocate for girls’ education.

Today, the fund leads global advocacy for 12 years of free, safe, and quality education for every girl.

His visit underscored the need for coordinated action to tackle the barriers keeping girls out of school.

It focused on a critical theme: how to mobilise everyone, especially men and boys to stand with girls and defend their right to learn.

To build partnerships for change, he held a roundtable discussion with more than 40 faith leaders, traditional rulers, civil society advocates, and education stakeholders.

The dialogue focused on how men and boys can use their influence to challenge gender inequality, support girls’ education, and help end child marriage.

Among the participants were Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern States), and Hajiya Amina Haruna, Director at the Federal Ministry of Education.

She is also the National Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

Yousafzai also visited Sokoto State, which has one of the highest rates of child marriage and out-of-school girls in Nigeria.

There, he met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who affirmed his readiness to collaborate through his Foundation for Peace and Development, to support girls’ education.

While these strategic meetings are expected to yield positive outcomes, Malala Fund Fellows in Nigeria have already begun to share stories of how male engagement has made a difference in promoting girls’ education.

One beneficiary of such efforts is Halima Yusuf, a law graduate from Bayero University, Kano, and an alumna of the Malala Fund Girl Fellowship Programme.

She says, “For my dad and my brother Kabir, I will always be grateful for how they continue to believe in me and support my decisions.

“From encouraging my unexpected choice to study law, to guiding me through leadership roles in school,” she said.

Yusuf says, they continue to be shining examples of generosity and selflessness, values that have shaped how she sees the world and inspired her to give back.

For Aishatu Kabu in Borno, the decision to establish the Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative Support was inspired by her personal experience and difficulties in accessing education in the state.

She actively works with male advocates, recognising their importance in influencing change, a strategy she says is already yielding results.

While stakeholders are hopeful of achieving this feat by securing the support of men and accelerating progress in girls’ education, analysts insist that meeting SDG 4 and 5 targets for girls by 2030 will require more than expanded access to free, quality education.

They emphasise the need to also tackle the deep-rooted gender inequalities outlined in SDG 5 such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and discriminatory cultural norms that continue to hinder girls’ learning.

In conclusion, experts opined that empowering girls through education and removing systemic barriers to equality are essential for achieving sustainable development.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Abujah Racheal, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In the brightly lit corridors of a Nigerian hospital, an unspoken fear lingers, not just among patients, but among the very hands trained to heal them.

In spite of decades of awareness campaigns, scientific advances, and access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment, HIV remains a subject cloaked in silence even among healthcare workers.

Some flinch at disclosure while others lower their voices when discussing a diagnosis.

Mrs Gwanja Anja (not her real name), a senior nurse in a federal hospital, has been living with HIV for more than 11 years.

Anja said she had never told her colleagues about her status.

“I take my medication religiously and quietly; but if anyone here finds out, I do not know what that would mean for my job.

“Even some doctors joke about patients who ‘look HIV-positive’; that fear never leaves you.”

She said she was infected through a needle-stick injury early at work.

“Though I reported the incident, the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol was poorly handled,’’ she said.

Anja said months later, her test came back positive.

Since then, she has maintained her health in silence, hiding her pills and avoiding health worker clinics altogether.

Beyond individual experiences like that of Anja, the psychological impact of stigma is significant.

Dr Jumai Suleiman, a clinical psychologist who counsels healthcare workers, said that many of them bottled up their status, fearing judgment from colleagues who should be supportive.

“They carry it alone battling anxiety, shame, and burnout.”

She said that institutional silence worsens the problem as casual jokes, avoidance, and whispered gossip could isolate even the most resilient professionals.

“The internalised stigma among health workers is sometimes worse because they know the science, but still feel the shame,” she said.

According to stakeholders, Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the regions most affected by HIV.

In Nigeria alone, an estimated 1.8 million people are living with the virus.

While antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced HIV-related deaths, people living with HIV in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria still face psychological challenges and poor health outcomes linked to stigma.

According to the World Bank, the prevalence of HIV among Nigerians aged 15–49 was 1.3 per cent in 2021.

In 2025, Nigeria is estimated to have more than 2 million people living with HIV.

Available statistics indicates that the states with the highest prevalence rates are Akwa Ibom, 5.6 per cent, Benue, 4.9 per cent, and Rivers, 3.8 per cent.

Nigeria is working towards the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets; 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those to be on treatment and 95 per cent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.

Experts say that while the country has made notable progress in treatment coverage and viral suppression, testing remains a challenge.

Many still do not know their status, and stigma discourages both testing and disclosure.

While laws and policies attempt to shield all Nigerians from HIV-related stigma, key populations remain disproportionately affected and often unheard.

These include men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and transgender persons.

Many face dual stigma: for their HIV status and their identity or behaviour.

Ms Jay Joy (not her real name) a 27-year-old sex worker living with HIV in Lagos State, shared her experience.

“When I tested positive, I was afraid to go to the hospital again.

“They kept staring, whispering, like I did not belong; sometimes, it is easier to suffer in silence than face them,” she said.

Meanwhile, the enactment of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act in 2014 has increased the legal risks for men having sex with men and other transgender communities.

Advocacy groups warn that fear of arrest or exposure keeps many from accessing care or reporting abuse.

Young people in Nigeria represent a growing share of new HIV infections but remain overlooked in public discourse.

Adolescents, in particular, struggle with disclosure, school-based stigma, and consistent access to medication.

A 17-year-old minor was diagnosed at birth; she said she hides her status at school.

“I never take my drugs in front of friends, if they find out, they will stop talking to me,’’ the minor said.

Youth-friendly HIV services remain limited across the country, and advocates are calling for better peer support programmes, school sensitisation, and targeted campaigns that address young people’s realities.

Religious beliefs and cultural norms continue to shape the public narrative around HIV in Nigeria.

While some faith leaders have championed compassionate care and promoted testing, others reinforce stigma by framing HIV as a moral failing.

Malam Imam Bashir, a cleric, shared a different message.

“HIV is not a punishment; it is a disease, and like any other disease, it needs care, not condemnation.”

Bashir said that community education through religious institutions had proven powerful.

“Expanding partnerships with faith-based organisations could help dismantle entrenched prejudices and offer spiritual and emotional support for people living with HIV,” he said.

Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General of NACA, weighed in.

“We cannot win this fight unless we create a society where people living with HIV feel protected, not punished,” he said.

Dr Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director, said that ending AIDS was not just a medical effort but a human rights imperative.

“Every act of discrimination is a step backwards,” he said.

Zekeng said to achieve its 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat, Nigeria must match medical progress with social transformation.

He said that stakeholders must ensure all Nigerian states domesticated the HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act to ensure legal protection for people living with HIV across the country.

Zekeng said that health workers and communities must be equipped with comprehensive anti-stigma training to foster more inclusive and compassionate care environments.

Observers say it is essential to support youth-led and key population-led initiatives that drive awareness, advocacy, and peer support for people living with HIV.

They say faith leaders should be empowered to actively promote messages of dignity, inclusion, and care for people affected by HIV.

According to health experts, enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened, and access to justice expanded, to protect the rights of individuals facing HIV-related stigma and abuse.

“Stigma is not just a barrier to care, it is a barrier to hope; ending it begins with listening, supporting, and speaking openly,’’ they said.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Usman Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In the sleepy farming village of Ehor, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo, 47-year-old Mrs Ebun Aikpokpo sits on a wooden bench beside her grocery stall, holding up a small blue POS device.

The machine’s screen flickers weakly before going dark again.

For the third time in the week, she has been unable to complete a customer’s payment due to a failed internet connection.

“I tell my customers to come back later or bring cash; but these days, most of them do not carry cash anymore; some just go elsewhere,” she said with a weary smile.

More so, Mr Francis Ikharo, a 58-year-old widower and cassava farmer at Ayanran village in Akoko-Edo LGA of Edo, clutches his phone and sighs in frustration.

His son had told him that N25,000 was sent to his account under the NG Cares project, but weeks later, he still has not accessed a single naira.

NG Cares is a Federal Government programme, designed to restore the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, maintaining food security, and facilitating recovery of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

“I went to the bank in Igarra and they told me the network was down;  I went again two days later, same thing.

“They said even if I had a smartphone and downloaded the mobile banking app, it would not work here; there is no service,” he said.

This is not peculiar to rural communities in Edo;  38-year-old Patience Ogah also experienced failure in internet connection in Karaworo, a quiet village in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi.

Ogah has run a small convenience store for nearly a decade.

In 2023, she began accepting digital payments after a mobile banking agent set her up with a Point-of-Sale (POS) device.

For a few weeks, business improved; then, reality struck; poor internet connectivity and frequent power cuts made the device nearly unusable.

“Customers get angry when the machine fails. Some think I am trying to cheat them. Others just walk away,” she bemoaned.

Similarly, in Ago Alaye, Odigbo Local Government Area, Ondo State, POS agent Idowu Ajayi has spent the better part of two years running a mobile banking kiosk that services six surrounding communities.

On a good day, he processes up to 40 transactions; on most days, though, he battles poor signal strength and queues of frustrated customers.

“I have bought two different routers; I even climbed a tree to hang my SIM card where the network is stronger; but when the network fails, there is nothing I can do.

“People just curse and leave,” he laments.

These residents noted that the problem was not limited to individual entrepreneurs; local schools and health centres in the areas struggle with integrating digital payment systems for school fees, hospital bills, or government reimbursements.

Rural teachers and primary healthcare workers often cannot receive salaries through mobile transfers because their bank branches are kilometres away, and mobile networks frequently break down.

These experiences reflect a deeper and growing concern in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda — the rural-urban digital divide that risks leaving millions behind.

Across Nigeria, the use of digital payments has surged, especially in urban areas.

In Lagos, Abuja, Benin City, Lokoja, Akure and other major cities, USSD, QR code payments, fintech apps, and card transactions are part of daily life.

The cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) further accelerated this trend, pushing people towards contactless transactions and boosting the mobile money sector.

As Nigeria pursues its National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) as well as the Nigeria National Development Plan (2021–2025), which together aim to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty and expand the digital economy to 25 per cent of GDP by the end of 2025, digital financial inclusion is expected to play a pivotal role.

Interestingly, these digital payment systems are rapidly being adopted in the urban centres, but rural Nigeria, surprisingly, remains disconnected, with low broadband coverage, unreliable electricity, and limited digital literacy undermining access.

Despite the growing digital economy, which contributed an estimated 16 to 18 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2024, millions still remain digitally disconnected.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), more than 50 per cent of Nigerians still lack access to broadband, with the vast majority living in rural areas.

According to the NCC, as of January 2025, Nigeria had 98.8 million broadband subscriptions, representing a penetration rate of 45.61 per cent.

While broadband penetration is growing, it is still below the 70 per cent target set for 2025 by the Nigerian National Broadband Plan.

This digital exclusion, financial analysts said, is not just a missed economic opportunity, it is a national development challenge. They claimed as well that the digital economy’s contribution to GDP could even be higher if the rural communities are not left behind.

Globally, Nigeria is considered one of Africa’s top fintech hubs; yet, the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) in its study, reports that only 29 per cent of Nigerians have ‘regular access’ to reliable mobile internet, leaving out 71 per cent due to major infrastructure and regulatory barriers. 

The GSMA notes that the full promise of Nigeria’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) would only be realised when the country creates an enabling policy and regulatory framework that actively includes rural areas.

Acknowledging these facts, Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in May, unveiled the Federal Government’s plan to invest in 7,000 towers in these underserved communities.

According to him, the focus is to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive development in the country.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister said that the government had directed his ministry to invest 7,000 towers in giving Nigerians access to telecom networks.

“The 7,000 projects would be delivered by the end of 2025 so that an opportunity can be given to Nigerians regardless of where they find themselves.

“There are about 20 million rural dwellers that still have no access to such facilities.

“The President demanded that money must be put into ensuring that this opportunity is not only available to those in the urban area, but every part of the North.

“This will, in turn, lead to the transformation of the Nigerian economy in all spheres, ranging from health, agriculture and security.”

The minister admitted that the importance of internet connection to Nigeria is profound, touching nearly every aspect of the country’s development.

“Nigeria’s digital economy is one of the fastest-growing in Africa.

“Internet connectivity supports tech startups, e-commerce, fintech, and digital services, contributing significantly to GDP.

‘’Online platforms enable remote work, freelancing, and access to global gig economies. Initiatives like the 3MTT programme aim to create millions of tech-enabled jobs.

“Small and medium enterprises benefit from digital tools for marketing, sales, logistics, and finance,’’ he said.

But Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), sheds light on why rural deployment remains unattractive to telecom providers, citing hostile policies by the subnational governments.

“Commercial operators face a dilemma. While they are obligated to expand coverage, return on investment is often poor in remote areas compared to urban centres with high demand.

“In addition, operators face hostile sub-national policies, from multiple taxation to outrageous right-of-way (RoW) charges, as high as N8,500 per linear metre, compared to the N145 per metre recommended by the Federal Economic Council,” Adebayo explained.

The ALTON chief added that these hostile conditions discourage investment, especially when some state governments disregard federal policies.

“You’ll hear things like, ‘That’s your Abuja approval; my state has its own rules.’ That inconsistency creates a wall too hard for operators to break through,” he said.

Ultimately, Adebayo said broadband access is not just about connecting villages; it is about connecting people to opportunity.

“Statistics show that a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration boosts GDP by up to 2.5 per cent; so, when state governments block access, they are not just hurting telcos, they are undermining their own economic future,” said the giant telecom player.

Adebayo believes the solution lies in strategic policy overhaul, unified implementation across all levels of government, and long-term thinking.

“You cannot  tax the man building the highway; let them build the digital roads and then tax the users; government needs to recognise the socioeconomic value of infrastructure more than just the immediate Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” he said.

The stakes of this digital divide are even higher when viewed through the lens of financial inclusion.

In 2024 alone, digital payments in Nigeria hit a record N1.07 quadrillion, according to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

Notwithstanding the feat, a GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report reveals that nearly 60 per cent of rural Nigerian women do not use mobile internet.

Similarly, the World Bank estimates that 64 million Nigerian adults remain unbanked, mostly in rural areas.

These statistics are not just numbers, they represent real people who are excluded from economic opportunity, government aid, and financial tools that could improve their lives as well as their contribution to economic growth.

For instance, in Ondo State’s Araromi Obu Community, 55-year-old farmer, Baba Adefemi, said he had never used a mobile banking app but depended on his nephew in Akure to help him send or receive money.

When the FADAMA NG Care funds were distributed via digital wallets in 2023, Adefemi received nothing.

“I heard they paid others; but I do not have the phone they use; I do not even know how to use the code they talk about,” he said.

This illustrates the compounding nature of digital exclusion. In many government social programmes, from Conditional Cash Transfers to COVID-19 palliatives and the National Social Investment Programmes, beneficiaries are now required to have National Identification Numbers (NINs) and mobile wallets.

Yet, for millions in underserved communities, these prerequisites remain out of reach.

Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem is conspicuously expanding, but the enabling infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, is not.

According to a FinTech expert Hussein Olanrewaju, such digital exclusion has layered consequences, ranging from low financial literacy to lack of transactional visibility that prevents rural businesses from accessing credit or growth opportunities.

“There’s virtually no broadband in many rural areas; sometimes you go through hills and trees and cannot even make a phone call, let alone use mobile apps.

“Without power and a consistent network, even voice-based authentication fails,” Olanrewaju, founder of HAQ Technology Management Services, said.

He highlighted the ripple effect of poor infrastructure on trust and user experience such as failed transactions, lack of dispute resolution, and total absence of data trails for rural business activity.

“People still do cash hand-to-hand because they don’t trust the system. There’s no digital record of transactions, no credit profile, nothing to support them when they need loans or grants,” he said.

For Olanrewaju, the government’s failure to address these systemic issues is the core problem.

“The fault is largely on the government in the areas of regulations, power supply, broadband rollout, and even security to protect telecom infrastructure.

“We need tailored interventions, not copy-and-paste policies from other regions,” he said

He also demonstrated how financial literacy constituted the linchpin to economic empowerment.

“People do not realise that sharing your PIN is dangerous or that budgeting matters; even in semi-urban areas, many people live in survival mode, depending on others for financial decisions.

“We must build financial capacity from the ground up,” he submitted.

Both Adebayo and Olanrewaju agree that solving this crisis requires multi-level commitment, beginning with policy harmonisation across federal and state levels, investment in rural broadband infrastructure, and massive financial education campaigns.

They say that the path to Nigeria’s full digital potential is not only through innovation, but inclusion.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Dr Chinenye Okafor, a digital development analyst, argued that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), needs to be treated like roads or power lines, which are foundational systems that link citizens to the economy.

“But right now, our DPI rollout prioritises markets, not marginalisation. That’s a structural flaw,” she said regrettably.

The digital development analyst, emphasised that bridging Nigeria’s digital divide requires bold, coordinated, and people-centred reforms.

As solutions to the concerns raised by Adebayo of association of licensed telecom operators, Okafor advocates incentives-backed policy frameworks that will mandate telecom providers to extend broadband access to rural areas. She said these incentives could be subsidies or a universal service fund.

According to her, fintechs and mobile money providers must be compelled to design inclusive platforms, ones that support voice commands, offline functionality, and indigenous languages; so that the digitally excluded, particularly rural women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, are no longer left behind.

Beyond infrastructure, she underscores the need for systemic digital literacy education across all levels, from schools to community centres, to equip Nigerians with the confidence and skills to thrive in a digital economy.

She further calls for intentional inclusion in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives and deeper public-private partnerships to establish community-based digital service hubs.

“Digital inclusion must be treated as a public utility, not a privilege,” she asserts, noting that Nigeria could not build an inclusive economy on a broken digital foundation.

Stemming from the foregoing, it is established that Nigeria stands at a crossroads.

Its digital economy has the potential to leapfrog traditional barriers, empower citizens, and transform governance; but unless digital public infrastructure is extended equitably and not just profitably, the country risks reinforcing the same divisions it hopes to erase.

As this story reveals, experts see the problem of digital financial exclusion as not just technological, but also political, cultural, and deeply human.

Bridging the divide will require more than bandwidth; rather, it demands political will, inclusive design, and a firm commitment to leaving no one behind.

Until that happens, observers say rural Nigerians like Aikpokpo, Ikharo, Ogah, Ajayi and Adefemi will continue to be disconnected, and left behind; not because they do not want to join the digital future, but because the system has not shown up at their doorstep. (NANFeature)

This report is produced with support from Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI)

By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Each year, the globe commemorates World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) on June 19, an event to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), one of the most common hereditary blood disorders in the world.

The theme of the global observance for 2025 is “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy”, resonating across the corridors of academia, clinical settings and advocacy platforms.

SCD is a group of inherited blood disorders characterised by abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble crescents or sickles.

The cells can block blood flow, causing severe anaemia, episodes of severe pain, recurrent infections, as well as medical emergencies like strokes, sepsis or organ failure.

In Nigeria, home to the largest population of people affected by SCD, the day carries a deeper, more urgent significance.

The burden of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the country continues to strain the nation’s healthcare resources and families affected by the disorder.

This growing challenge calls for comprehensive and sustained intervention across prevention, treatment and education.

Without urgent action, including newborn screening, public awareness and access to advanced therapies, the impact on families and the healthcare system will continue to deepen.

It is a timely call for national unity in curbing the spread of this life-altering disease and improving the lives of those who live with it daily.

With an estimated 150,000 Nigerian children born each year with the disorder, according to Harvard’s Dr Maureen Achebe, the country finds itself at the epicenter of a public health crisis.

While prevention remains the ideal, early diagnosis through newborn screening is a practical and effective tool that could reduce mortality among children under five.

Achebe, a renowned hematologist and global health equity advocate from Harvard, said “these babies look normal at birth”, warning that without early detection, mortality rates could reach 50–80 per cent before the age of five, a heartbreaking figure in a country with already strained healthcare infrastructure.

“Newborn screening helps identify those with SCD early so they can receive care and therapy to live normal lives,” she added.

She advocated nationwide newborn screening programme, alongside routine preventive care such as vaccination, folic acid supplementation, and prophylaxis against infections like pneumonia and malaria.

She also dispelled cultural myths surrounding the disease, stating unequivocally that SCD is an inherited genetic disorder, not a curse or result of witchcraft, a reminder of the persistent social stigma surrounding the condition in many communities.

At the heart of Nigeria’s strategy to reduce the prevalence of SCD is prevention, and according to Prof. Patricia Lar, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly UniAbuja), genetic compatibility awareness must be the foundation of preventive approach.

Lar spoke through Prof. Titus Ibekwe, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, during a public lecture titled “The Evolving Therapeutic Landscape in Sickle Cell Disease,”

She emphasised the importance of prevention as the most effective strategy in eliminating Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Nigeria.

She stressed that “seriously considering partner compatibility could reduce the disease to only carriers, discouraging marriages between incompatible partners.

“If we maintain this precautionary measure over time, we will be able to eliminate SCD or reduce it to a minimum world-wide ,” she added.

This message is echoed in the advocacy efforts of Mrs Aisha Edward-Maduagwu, the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

She called for the strict enforcement of genotype compatibility checks, especially in states like Anambra, where legislation exists but implementation lags.

“Our association has made significant strides advocating for the rights and welfare of people living with SCD.

“We urge prospective couples to prioritise genotype testing and ensure compatibility before marriage,” she said.

Beyond bone marrow transplants, gene therapy is emerging as the next frontier, according to Lar.

“This revolutionary treatment aims to correct the sickle cell gene itself, potentially offering a one-time cure.

“This is where the future of SCD treatment lies,” she noted. “It modifies the faulty gene to function like a normal gene, potentially eliminating the disease at its source.”

In recent years, the emergence of curative treatments, though limited by cost, has brought renewed hope to families affected by SCD.

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has taken significant steps forward, with successful bone marrow transplants performed since 2024.

Dr Adeseye Akinsete, a pediatric hematologist at LUTH, confirmed that all transplanted patients are alive and well, and that the centre is preparing for a third cycle in August 2025.

“This represents a major breakthrough in the country’s medical landscape.

“We are proving that advanced therapies can be delivered locally. Nigerians are beginning to trust and participate in these programmes,” he said.

Akinsete added that LUTH also offers post-transplant support services, including virtual consultations for patients outside Lagos, and has established a dedicated transplant clinic that follows up with patients who received care both locally and abroad.

The Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training (CESRTA) at Yakubu Gowon University is playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research and care.

Since its inception in 2015, CESRTA has worked to provide clinical and translational research, skills training, and community outreach.

Prof. Obiageli Nnodu, CESRTA Director and Co-Chair of the 5th Global Congress on SCD, highlighted the Centre’s collaborations with both local and international partners and its mission to make advanced SCD care more accessible and affordable.

Following the recent global congress, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced the upgrading of CESRTA to the National Centre of Excellence for SCD Research and Training, recognising its impact on national policy, research, and education.

In spite of the scientific and medical advances, the social and economic barriers to quality care for SCD patients remain significant.

Dotun Oladipupo, Chairman of the Oladipupo Foundation in Abeokuta, says medication for managing sickle cell was extremely expensive.

“Many families cannot afford life-saving therapies. This must change.”

Oladipupo called on the Federal Government to invest more in alternative medicine research, as well as to promote inclusive legislation that gives people with SCD access to equal job opportunities, education, and healthcare.

“We also need bills that protect the rights of those living with the disease, so that stigma and discrimination no longer define their everyday experience,” he said.

The unifying thread running through the events, speeches, and expert recommendations marking World Sickle Cell Day 2025 is clear: community empowerment is essential for lasting change.

Whether through genotype testing campaigns, newborn screening, accessible treatments, or public education, the solutions must be people-centered and government-supported.

As Nigeria leads the global conversation on SCD by necessity, it must also lead by example, transforming advocacy into action, policy into practice, and awareness into impact.

There is hope. There is progress. But more importantly, there is a renewed determination to ensure that future generations are born not just with knowledge of SCD, but with the power and tools to defeat it.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

World Refugee Day, celebrated every June 20, is dedicated to refugees around the world.

The day was held globally for the first time in 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

World Refugee Day was originally known as Africa Refugee Day before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.

This year’s commemoration marks another solemn yet vital observance of World Refugee Day, an occasion dedicated to honouring the strength, courage, and resilience of millions forced to flee their homes.

Under the theme, “Solidarity with Refugees,” the global community is turning its attention to a fundamental human right often tragically denied in times of displacement: access to comprehensive healthcare.

Stakeholders say access to healthcare by refugees is a call to action, urging nations to stand in unwavering solidarity with those seeking safety, ensuring that health is not a privilege but a universal entitlement.

They also warn that the global landscape of forced displacement continues to present an unprecedented challenge.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that although modest progress had been made, increased conflicts and disasters in many parts of the world remain a challenge.

“As protracted displacement rises, many fleeing conflict and disasters are spending over a decade awaiting legal recognition.

“More than 70 per cent are hosted in low- and middle-income countries, often in urban areas, where legal, financial, and structural barriers hinder access to health.”

It said women and children bear the brunt of displacement, noting that over 47 million children are facing disrupted access to health, education, and protection.

“Women and newborns’ lives are at heightened risk with disrupted maternal and essential care as barriers to access increase.

“Notably, refugees are not only recipients of care- they are scientists, health workers, and leaders who enrich the social and economic fabric of both host and origin countries,” WHO said.

It also said it stood in solidarity with more than 123 million forcibly displaced people worldwide; reaffirming that health was a fundamental human right, essential to dignity, protection, and inclusion.

Health officials say that while exact figures for 2025 are still emerging, the trend observed over recent years points to persistently high numbers of individuals uprooted by conflict, persecution, and natural disasters.

“Millions find themselves living in precarious conditions, often in host communities or camps with stretched resources, where basic amenities, let alone specialised medical care, are a distant dream,” a health official said.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said “Health for All” for refugees means more than just treating illnesses; it encompasses a holistic approach to well-being.

It said it means ensuring access to primary healthcare services, including vaccinations, maternal and child health, and essential medicines.

It also demands robust mental health and psychosocial support to address the profound trauma of displacement, loss, and uncertainty.

The UNHCR said solidarity is the bedrock upon which “Health for All” can be built, adding that it signifies a collective responsibility that extends beyond borders and political divides.

“Solidarity means honouring refugees not just with words but with actions. It means listening deeply, making space for their stories; it means standing up for their right to seek safety and for solutions to their plight.

“But above all, solidarity means saying, clearly and courageously, that refugees are not alone and that we will not turn our backs.

“Refugees are not looking for charity; they seek opportunity and self-advancement; when given the chance, they become integral, valuable and productive members of the communities that welcome them.”

UNHCR also highlights that “Every refugee carries a unique story of pain, loss, and unimaginable strength. They are not defined by what they’ve lost, but by the courage with which they rebuild.”

Advocates for refugee rights say international organisations, such as UNHCR and WHO, play a crucial role in coordinating aid and advocating refugee rights.

They also said solidarity extends to host communities, who often bear the immediate brunt of large influxes of people yet frequently demonstrate remarkable generosity.

Karen Gulick, Ag. Representative of the UNHCR Multi-Country Office for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, said refugees need solidarity more now than before.

“At a time of global uncertainty, with record numbers of forcibly displaced people and critical funding gaps, it is more important than ever to show solidarity with refugees,” she said.

She also called on governments to enact inclusive policies, allocate adequate resources, and strengthen health infrastructure.

In a message to commemorate the day, Save the Children UK echoed Gulick’s message, stressing the need for displaced children to access quality education.

“This year’s World Refugee Day is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with refugees and their communities around the world. Their quality education hinges on one crucial factor: their teachers.”

As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the 2025 World Refugee Day, activists say it should be reminded of its challenge of grappling with a significant refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) crisis.

The ongoing insurgency in the North-East, particularly the activities of Boko Haram and other armed groups, has resulted in massive internal displacement.

Millions of Nigerians remain displaced within the country, facing severe humanitarian challenges in addition to hosting refugees from neighbouring countries fleeing similar conflicts.

Nonetheless, Gov. Babagana  Zulum of Borno recently disclosed plans to resettle more than 50,000 farmers displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Koshebe area and its environs back to their ancestral homes to boost agricultural activities in the state.

Zulum said that with gradual return of peace in the state, after the gruesome massacre against farmers in Koshebe, the Federal Government, through the North East Development Commission, decided to construct roads to enhance agricultural activities and ensure the resettlement of displaced persons in the area which is favourable for rice farming.

Zulum said the purpose of resettling the farmers back to Koshebe after the relative peace was to give them an opportunity to cultivate their farmlands.

According to the Journal of Migration and Health, the health situation for these displaced populations in Nigeria is critical.

“Camps and host communities often lack adequate sanitation and safe drinking water, leading to outbreaks of cholera, measles, and other communicable diseases.

“Malnutrition, especially among children, is rampant, compounding vulnerability to illness.

“Mental health trauma, stemming from violence, loss of loved ones, and prolonged uncertainty, is pervasive yet often goes unaddressed due to limited resources and stigma.

“Access to functioning health facilities is severely constrained, with many clinics damaged or non-existent in conflict-affected areas; even where facilities exist, they are frequently understaffed and lack essential supplies.”

Despite these challenges, the Nigerian government, often in partnership with UNHCR and numerous local and international non-government organisations (NGOs), has made efforts to assist.

Analysts say such collaborations have led to the establishment of temporary health posts, conducting vaccination campaigns, and distributing essential medicines.

“The 2025 theme resonates deeply within Nigeria, emphasising the need for increased international support, strategic funding, and innovative solutions to reach every displaced individual with the care they desperately need,” an analyst said.

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) recently took a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by displaced individuals by relocating 40 families to a newly constructed resettlement city in Keffi.

The commission said the move was the first phase of an ongoing initiative aimed at transitioning IDPs and refugees from temporary camps to a more permanent and secure environment.

It said 40 families, comprising approximately 300 individuals, have moved into the purpose-built community designed to provide safety, stability, and opportunities for rebuilding their lives with dignity.

Commendable as such an initiative is, analysts note that the scale of the crisis often overwhelms available resources, highlighting the persistent gaps in comprehensive, sustainable provisions for IDPs and refugees.

As the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Refugees are not numbers; they are people who have faces, names, and stories.”

On the whole, stakeholders say refugees deserve solidarity from all. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.