By Rakiya A.Muhammad
In the quiet classroom, Hadiza Malami, 40, stands at the blackboard, brushing chalk dust from her fingers before meeting her students’ eyes. Her gentle yet commanding voice fills the silence, marking a new chapter for the eager students before her.
Denied an education as a girl, Hadiza from Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria, now stands as a living testament to resilience and the transformative impact of learning.
Her mission is clear: to inspire women to recognise and pursue the life-changing value of education.
Hadiza’s past struggles have forged an unyielding determination to uplift others through education. Her gentle smile and wealth of experience breathe life into every lesson, turning classrooms into spaces where stories of challenge and triumph spark hope. She reminds everyone that knowledge is not just a goal but a gateway to reclaiming their future.
Nipped Under the Radar
Startling education statistics reveal that over 18 million children in Nigeria are out of school, with girls constituting a significant majority, at over 60 per cent.
Data also indicates that the country’s northern region accounts for the highest percentage of out-of-school children. This region faces complex challenges, including cultural barriers, higher poverty rates, and insecurity. As a result, the education issue here is particularly intricate.
Cultural barriers, poverty, and insecurity keep girls from school, often ending their dreams through early marriage.
Tradition once stifled Hadiza’s hopes. Eager to learn, she faced cultural pressure and early marriage, like many girls.
She remembers her excitement starting primary school, a crisp uniform and bright hopes. Yet the dream vanished in an instant, imprinting a striking vision of herself in student attire that would forever linger in her mind.
“Despite the cultural obstacles that impede girls’ education in our society, my father wanted me to pursue my education. Sadly, just two weeks after I started school, he passed away,” Hadiza recalls.
“Following my father’s passing, the family resolved to arrange my marriage.”
Excluded from school, Hadiza entered marriage and met new challenges. Her first marriage crumbled, and when she tried again, the second union unravelled as well, she confides.
“With children from both marriages, raising them became my sole responsibility.”
Turning Back Time
To address women lost educational opportunities, the Sokoto state government started a second-chance initiative for those who missed schooling earlier in life.
The programme combines formal lessons, skills training, and strong community ties for transformative results.
“It is a cohesive system, supporting women in pursuit of a second chance alongside those who have never set foot in a classroom,” asserts Professor Mustapha Namaka, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Female Education Board.
The initiative operates four Women’s Centres for Continuing Education (WCCE) across different zones of the state, in Tambuwal, Sokoto South, Isa, and Gwadabawa, according to Professor Namaka.
“These centres serve as a journey for women to develop their skills and talents; we aim to ensure that education is within reach for every woman, regardless of her marital status.”
Namaka underscores the initiative’s profound impact: “The transformative power of these Continuing Education Centres in Sokoto state is unmistakable,” he says.
“The evidence is clear; numerous women who have had a second chance at formal education have not only completed their studies but have done so with remarkable success. Many have even surpassed their academic goals.”
Over the past decade, thanks to this education initiative, many women have seized new opportunities—becoming entrepreneurs, leaders, and agents of change.
Emerging from Shadows
By a stroke of luck, Hadiza stumbled upon the second-chance school. This initiative became her beacon, offering the hope and opportunity to steer her life onto a new path.
“I chose to embark on a journey in education, driven by my enduring passion for learning. That was the reason for my sojourn here,” Hadiza adds.
Her journey began at the Women’s Centre for Continuing Education, where she moved from primary to secondary education, then on to the State’s College of Education, before returning as a teacher.
“Every obstacle I had overcome became a lesson, each one shaping me for this moment. Knowing what it means to fight for an education gave me strength,” she asserts.
“Now, as an educator, I aim to ignite the same spark in others that my mentors once lit in me.”
Another teacher at the second-chance school, Nana Asmau Abdullahi, shares a similar narrative.
Once an out-of-school girl, Nana Asmau stands as another powerful example of overcoming societal barriers and discovering freedom through education through the second-chance initiative.
She refused to let early marriage define her and, with courage, embraced the life-changing opportunity.
Nana Asmau not only completed her secondary education at the second-chance school but also soared through higher education and triumphed. Now, she steps back into the school that once rekindled her hopes, lighting the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
Seizing the Moment
Many women now feel hopeful, eager to reshape their lives at the second-chance initiative.
35-year-old Zahra Haliru, a student, shares her story: “Before I joined the programme, I had never stepped into a school, as my family believed that girls should not pursue an education.”
As a dedicated mother and third-year student, Zahra beams with pride as she looks back on her remarkable progress, which reading and writing opened for her and improved her tailoring business.
“Once upon a time, I found myself grappling with the challenge of crafting even the most basic letters. Names of my clients or their measurements seemed impossible to write as a tailor; it was hurting my business,” she reveals.
“At last, I can write and read; with this school, I have realised education’s profound impact on propelling business success; we sincerely thank the second chance initiative for creating a welcoming atmosphere.”
Likewise, as a young girl, Nafisa Aliyu faced closed school doors and was denied an education for no reason other than being a girl—a fate shared by many.
Nafisa, now a fourth-grader at the second-chance school, exemplifies how this initiative transforms lives.
“There was a time when reading and writing felt like climbing a steep hill, but now I navigate words with newfound confidence and understanding,” Nafisa discloses.
New student Khadija Almustapha finds hope and support in her classmates and neighbours. Their stories create a caring, welcoming environment.
“After finishing primary four, I was married off. But as time passed, a quiet longing for education began to grow inside me,” Khadija discloses.
“Seeing how the school transformed my neighbours’ lives through the second-chance programme inspired me to follow in their footsteps.”
Umul Khair Ibrahim Abass, Principal of the Women Centre for Continuing Education in Sokoto, beams with pride as she shares her thoughts: “I am thrilled to see the second-chance programme breathing new life into our women, opening doors to fresh possibilities and turning participants into shining examples for their communities.”
Striking the Balance
However, navigating the demands of schoolwork and family life is demanding. The challenge is finding that crucial point where both worlds can thrive together.
Many admit balancing schoolwork and family sometimes feels overwhelming. Yet, they find their footing through careful planning, smart time management, and clear priorities.
Also, some share that the cost of commuting to and from school is a real hurdle. For many students, the cost of transportation disrupts consistent school attendance.
They urge the government to expand the existing all-women transport services, suggesting dedicated, subsidised options to ease their daily journeys.
Juan Ayegbe, a departmental head, explains that understanding the pressures of family life inspires them to lead with patience, empathy, and heartfelt compassion for their students.
“We offer consistent support, motivating students to cherish their education while managing family commitments, and encourage them as active participants in shaping their learning paths.”
Fatima Ali, a passionate rights advocate, sees firsthand how the second-chance initiative transforms lives and calls for greater investment so more women can truly embrace the transformative opportunities it offers.
She observes that while personal resilience plays a role, the availability of essential support systems can significantly ease this balancing act, increasing accessibility for women with families and empowering learners to thrive in their educational journeys.
Elevating the Endeavour
The present administration in Sokoto has renewed its commitment to the programme, vowing transformative support so each student—and many more women—can succeed on their educational journeys.
Murtala Abubakar Chika, at the helm of the Sokoto AGILE second-chance initiative, unveils a bold vision that sparks new hope for women’s education.
He reveals plans to launch 46 second-chance schools throughout the state, ensuring that every local government will have two dedicated centres of learning.
“With a clear vision, we will collaborate with all 23 local government councils to identify skills that are truly valuable in the job market, focusing on practical opportunities rather than just skill acquisition,” he elaborates.
“We will introduce incentives, such as conditional cash transfers, to support students in seeking a second chance at education, considering factors that hinder their regular school attendance.”
To qualify for the conditional cash transfer, he explains, “you need to be officially enrolled at the second-chance school, attend at least 75% of your classes, and fit the specific age criteria. This programme is not intended for girls of typical school age who should be in the regular school system.”
These efforts are laying the groundwork for a generation of women to rise, learn, and lead—proving that with opportunity, determination, and support, the future in Sokoto is being rewritten, one woman at a time.
Hadiza Malami radiates self-assurance, believing that bold choices can reshape the very idea of womanhood, even where tradition holds firm.
She shares that this second chance has opened doors to education, strengthened her confidence, and ignited a powerful sense of empowerment.
“Now, I guide others in their learning while supporting my family and nurturing my children,” she articulates.
“The second chance has transformed my journey from missed opportunities into a living story of hope and guidance for others.”
