World Bank: $400bn Potential from Investing in Girls

A report by the World Bank indicates that Nigeria could unlock an additional $400 billion in income by 2040 through investments in adolescent girls' education and healthcare, requiring an estimated investment of $37 billion. The report, titled "Pathways to Prosperity for Adolescent Girls in Nigeria," emphasizes the untapped economic potential in the country, despite challenges such as insecurity and poverty.

It reveals that 45.7% of girls aged 15-19 are currently in school, which is below the African average of 51.5%. The report also notes that 80.8% of girls in this age group are unmarried and without children, compared to the African average of 73.4%.

Additionally, Nigeria scored 51.1 out of 100 on the World Bank's Women, Business and Law 2026 index, which is lower than the sub-Saharan African average of 59.6. The report identifies significant regional disparities in girls' welfare and opportunities, particularly between northern and southern Nigeria, and recommends targeted interventions to improve education and healthcare access.