A cross section of participants at the workshop
In a decisive move to strengthen media advocacy for girl child education, the PAGED INITIATIVE successfully conducted a two-day capacity-building workshop designed to equip media professionals with the tools to highlight the challenges facing adolescent girls, married adolescents, and young mothers.
The workshop, held on April 8-9, 2026, brought together media partners from Borno, Kano, and Kaduna States, fostering dialogue on the urgent issues affecting girls’ education and well-being in northern Nigeria.
Participants benefited from lectures, interactive panel discussions, and breakout sessions led by distinguished experts, including Professor Auwalu Halilu of Bayero University Kano, foreign expert Ms. Femke Van Zeijl, and Ummi Bukar, Project Director of PAGED INITIATIVE. They shared insights on the critical role media can play in advocating for policy changes and raising public awareness on adolescent health and education.
“Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of media practitioners to effectively report on and advocate for issues surrounding girl child education and the unique challenges faced by adolescent mothers,” said Ummi Bukar. “By equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge, we aim to foster a generation that supports girls in achieving their educational aspirations.”
The training featured workshops on effective storytelling, digital media strategies, and ethical reporting, alongside role-playing exercises that allowed participants to navigate sensitive scenarios related to child marriage, education barriers, and adolescent rights.
Feedback from attendees underscored the workshop’s impact. “The training has opened my eyes to the significant role we play as media professionals in advocating for girl child education and ensuring the voices of adolescent mothers are heard,” said Mohammed Sani, a journalist from Kano. Similarly, Faiza Jibrin from Borno highlighted the transformative nature of the sessions for media engagement on social issues.
With alarming statistics surrounding girl child education and adolescent marriage in Nigeria, the PAGED INITIATIVE’s effort is seen as a crucial step toward mobilizing media to drive sustainable change. By fostering a network of informed media professionals, the initiative seeks to create a stronger support system for girls and young women, ensuring they thrive academically and socially.
“The PAGED INITIATIVE remains committed to promoting girl child education and addressing the challenges faced by adolescents, and this workshop stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts needed to effect meaningful change in society,” Ummi Bukar added.
