By Favour Pius
The World Bank has said Nigeria could unlock as much as $400 billion in economic value by 2040 if it increases investment in girls’ education, healthcare and economic empowerment.
The bank said closing gender gaps and improving opportunities for girls would significantly boost productivity, labour force participation and long-term economic growth in Africa’s largest economy.
According to the World Bank, investing in girls remains one of the most effective pathways to reducing poverty and accelerating national development, particularly in countries with rapidly growing populations such as Nigeria.
The institution noted that millions of Nigerian girls still face barriers including child marriage, limited access to quality education, poor healthcare and restricted economic opportunities, all of which continue to undermine the country’s human capital potential.
Analysts at the bank warned that failure to address these challenges could weaken Nigeria’s future growth prospects, especially as global economies increasingly rely on skilled and inclusive workforces.
“Investing in girls is not only a social imperative; it is an economic strategy capable of transforming Nigeria’s development trajectory,” the bank stated.
The report highlighted that better educational outcomes for girls could lead to higher earnings, delayed marriage, lower fertility rates and improved family welfare, creating broader economic benefits across generations.
The World Bank also stressed the need for stronger policies to improve school retention for girls, expand access to healthcare services and increase financial inclusion for women and young female entrepreneurs.
Development experts say the projected $400 billion opportunity reflects the enormous economic cost of gender inequality in Nigeria, where female participation in education, employment and leadership remains below global averages.
Stakeholders argue that targeted investments in girls could also help address wider social challenges, including unemployment, insecurity and intergenerational poverty.
They further noted that empowering girls through education and skills development would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy.
The World Bank urged government, private sector players and development partners to intensify collaboration toward policies and programmes that support girl-child development and gender inclusion.
Observers say the call comes at a critical time as Nigeria seeks new growth drivers amid economic reforms, rising unemployment and mounting demographic pressures.
With Nigeria projected to become one of the world’s most populous countries by 2050, experts warn that unlocking the full potential of girls and women may determine whether the country achieves sustainable growth or faces deeper social and economic inequality.
