Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, on a visit to Nigeria, urged the government to impose a “state of emergency on education” in the African nation.
According to Reuters, close to half of primary school-aged children – approximately 10 million – were not enrolled in school in Nigeria.
She asked that the government “declare a state of emergency for education because the education of the Nigerian girls and boys is really important.”
She also asked the Federal Government to implement the Child Rights Act in every state.
The Nobel laureate was addressing journalists in Abuja following a meeting with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo when she suggested spending on education should be publicized and at a federal and state level.
Malala, who became well known after the Taliban shot her in the head in 2012, met with former Boko Haram captives. Reuters added that the 20-year-old also made an appeal for the release of some 100 girls who are still believed to be in captivity.
“In the morning, I met Chibok girls and I was very happy at what the minister is doing to support the Chibok girls. I’m really excited to see them going back to their homes and to their families and continuing their education. But I hope the other girls who are still under abduction of Boko Haram are released,” she pleaded.
The education advocate was only 15-years-old when she was shot for standing up for the rights of Pakistani girls. A gunman approached a schoolbus, on which she was traveling, and firing several shots that left her in critical condition.
Since her recovery, Malala has gone on several tours to speak about the right to education for children, especially girl.
In 2013, Malala made a comment that “Socialism is the only answer ..only this will free us from the chains of bigotry and exploitation.”
In that same year, TIME Magazine included her on its annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people.