Kemi Olowu

World Bank has urged Nigeria to invest approximately $37 billion in adolescent girls over the next 15 years to unlock long-term economic growth and generate more than $400 billion in additional national income by 2040.

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The Washington-based institution said targeted investments in girls remain critical to reducing inequality, strengthening human capital development and supporting sustainable economic expansion across the country.

The recommendation was contained in a new World Bank report examining the economic impact of improving education, healthcare and economic inclusion for adolescent girls in Nigeria and across Africa.

According to the report, similar investments across the African continent could generate as much as $2.4 trillion in additional income over time, highlighting the significant economic returns associated with expanding opportunities for girls.

“Estimates suggest that investing in adolescent girls in Nigeria between now and 2040 could generate more than $400 billion in additional income for a cost of around $37 billion,” the institution stated.

The World Bank described adolescent girls as a major driver of future economic growth, noting that better access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities could substantially improve productivity, labour force participation and household income levels.

The report noted that Nigeria currently records moderate levels of educational attainment and economic participation among girls between the ages of 15 and 19. However, it warned that deep regional and socioeconomic disparities continue to limit progress and widen vulnerability across the country.

According to the institution, conditions remain particularly severe in northern Nigeria, especially in the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions, where many girls face heightened risks of school exclusion, unemployment, early marriage and early childbearing.

The report attributed the disparities largely to poverty, insecurity and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural communities where access to schools, healthcare facilities and digital services remains limited.

The World Bank also highlighted significant income-based inequalities in educational access.

According to the findings, only 15.9 per cent of girls from the poorest households remain in school, compared with 62.2 per cent among girls from the wealthiest households.

The institution further disclosed that 59.3 per cent of girls from poor households are neither in school nor working, a trend it said reinforces long-term cycles of poverty, low productivity and economic exclusion.

Marriage and childbearing rates were also found to rise sharply among poorer households. The report stated that 38.6 per cent of girls from the lowest income category are married or have begun childbearing, compared with just 3.6 per cent among girls from wealthier households.

The World Bank warned that early marriage and limited access to education continue to weaken labour participation, reduce earning potential and restrict economic mobility among adolescent girls.

To address the challenges, the institution recommended region-specific interventions focused on expanding access to quality education, improving healthcare delivery systems, reducing the cost of schooling and increasing digital inclusion.

The report also called for stronger legal protections, expanded skills development programs and broader financial inclusion initiatives aimed at improving economic participation and long-term opportunities for girls across Nigeria.

According to the World Bank, sustained investment in adolescent girls would not only improve social outcomes but also strengthen Nigeria’s long-term economic outlook by building a more productive and inclusive workforce.