Nigeria Needs $37 Billion Investment in Adolescent Girls to Unlock Economic Growth — World Bank

World Bank has said Nigeria requires approximately $37 billion in targeted investments in adolescent girls to unlock long-term economic growth and generate more than $400 billion in additional income by 2040.

The Washington-based institution disclosed this in a new report examining the economic impact of investing in education, healthcare and economic inclusion programmes for girls across Nigeria and Africa.

According to the report, strategic investments focused on adolescent girls could significantly improve productivity, labour participation and household income while strengthening Nigeria’s long-term growth outlook.

“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 World Bank stated.

The institution described adolescent girls as a critical driver of future economic expansion, noting that improved access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities could produce substantial economic returns over time.

The report said Nigeria currently records moderate levels of education and economic participation among girls aged 15 to 19 but warned that major regional and socioeconomic disparities continue to limit progress.

According to the World Bank, vulnerability levels remain significantly higher in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions, where many girls face elevated risks of school exclusion, unemployment, early marriage and childbearing.

The report attributed the disparities to poverty, insecurity and inadequate infrastructure, especially across rural communities.

The institution also highlighted wide income-based inequalities in educational access.

According to the report, only 15.9 percent of girls from the poorest households remain in school compared to 62.2 percent among the wealthiest households.

The World Bank further noted that 59.3 percent of girls from poor households are out of school and not working, reinforcing long-term cycles of poverty and low productivity.

The report said marriage and childbearing rates rise sharply among poorer households, affecting 38.6 percent of girls from the lowest income category compared to just 3.6 percent among wealthier households.

The institution warned that early marriage and limited educational attainment continue to weaken labour participation and economic mobility among adolescent girls.

To address the challenges, the World Bank recommended region-specific interventions focused on expanding access to education, improving healthcare delivery, reducing school costs and increasing digital inclusion.

The report also called for stronger legal protections, skills development programmes and broader financial inclusion initiatives to improve economic participation among girls.

According to the institution, similar investments across Africa could generate as much as $2.4 trillion in additional income over time.

The World Bank said targeted investments in adolescent girls remain essential to reducing inequality, strengthening human capital development and supporting sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.