The Mentoring Assistance for Youth and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN) has urged the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to address the numerous barriers preventing girls from accessing education. According to MAYEIN's Executive Director, Ewa Oluwa Orowale, poverty, insecurity, child marriage, period poverty, and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities continue to undermine girls' education in the state.
Orowale made the call while speaking on the outcomes of MAYEIN's Girls in Education Dialogues project, which aimed to help schoolgirls understand their rights and develop self-advocacy skills. The project, which began in 2022, reached 300 girls and 50 boys between 2022 and 2025, with support from the AU-EU Youth Action Lab. MAYEIN also produced a documentary featuring schoolgirls sharing their experiences, which was screened at the AU-EU Link and Learn event in Ethiopia in December 2025.
Orowale identified several barriers to girls' education, including long distances to school, transportation costs, poverty, and insecurity. Additionally, hidden costs of education, such as uniforms, books, and shoes, place extra pressure on low-income families. Some girls are forced to stay at home or engage in economic activities, like hawking, to support their families. Child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence also contribute to school dropout rates.
Period poverty remains a significant concern, particularly in schools where girls lack sanitary materials, clean toilets, and a reliable water supply. Orowale emphasized that when girls repeatedly miss school, they fall behind academically and struggle to catch up. To address this, she urged the government to ensure regular maintenance of school toilets, adequate water supply, and accessibility for children living with disabilities.
MAYEIN's Executive Director also called for stronger safeguarding systems in schools, including confidential reporting mechanisms, designated safeguarding officers, and clear procedures for handling complaints of bullying, sexual harassment, and other forms of abuse. Orowale stressed that safeguarding must go beyond documents and become part of the school's everyday operations. Teachers, school administrators, and other personnel working with children should receive appropriate safeguarding training.
The Oyo State Ministry of Education has expressed support for MAYEIN's work in public schools, reiterating its commitment to inclusive and quality education for boys, girls, and persons with disabilities. MAYEIN has recorded progress in promoting girls' participation in school activities, with nine of the 10 schools participating in the project having girls taking part in sports in 2025.
Orowale said MAYEIN is shifting its focus from advocacy to implementation and accountability, stressing the need for government, schools, and school leaders to translate policies and commitments into practical action. She advocated for greater attention to literacy, numeracy, retention, completion, teacher quality, school safety, and access to essential facilities.
Key points
- MAYEIN urges Oyo State Government to address poverty, insecurity, child marriage, and inadequate WASH facilities to improve girls' access to education.
- The organization calls for stronger safeguarding systems in schools to prevent abuse and ensure a safe learning environment.
- MAYEIN advocates for flexible learning arrangements and second-chance education programs for girls who have dropped out of school due to poverty, early marriage, or other challenges.
