Rising Teenage Pregnancy Rates in Nigeria Threaten Girls’ Education, As “Books Over Boys” Campaign Expands to Benue State

Nigeria continues to face an alarming rise in teenage pregnancy and school dropout rates, a crisis that disproportionately affects girls and threatens their long-term opportunities. In states like Benue, early pregnancy remains one of the leading contributors to girls dropping out of school, cutting short their education and exposing them to lifelong socio-economic disadvantages. Many of these girls never return to school, and the cycle of poverty, early marriage, and limited prospects continues.

In response to this growing challenge, Beyond the Classroom Foundation launched the Books Over Boys Campaign in the FCT in May 2025, an intentional shift from reaction to prevention. Instead of only supporting girls after they become pregnant, the campaign focuses on early education, empowerment, and behavioural change, helping girls understand the value of their education and the risks that distractions can pose to their future.

Since its launch, the campaign has reached several states across Nigeria, touching hundreds of girls with real, practical messages about self-worth, focus, and long-term goals. And now, the movement has extended to Benue State, where the need for preventive intervention has become urgent.

On Tuesday, 18th November 2025, 55 girls from Government Day Secondary School, Otukpo came together for an inspiring Books Over Boys reading session. The session was led by Christie Onogwu, a passionate advocate committed to reaching girls in her community. She was supported by Mr. Enokela Sunday, Dean of Studies at GDSS Otukpo, who helped coordinate the students and ensure an engaging session.

The girls listened with excitement and curiosity as passages from the Books Over Boys booklet were read aloud. Every line resonated deeply. The discussions helped them understand how peer pressure, seeking validation, and distractions from boys can lead to choices that jeopardise their education, often with lifelong consequences. Many of the girls shared how relatable the stories were, reflecting the real struggles young girls face in Otukpo and neighbouring communities.

The session was not just a reading, it was a preventive intervention, a reminder that girls’ dreams deserve protection, and that the path to a better future begins with informed decisions today. The joy on the girls’ faces showed how empowering the right knowledge can be when given at the right time.

Beyond the Classroom Foundation remains committed to ensuring that more girls across Nigeria receive this message before they face life-altering setbacks. The campaign will continue to expand, reaching more schools, more communities, and more girls who deserve every opportunity to stay focused, stay safe, and stay in school.

For more information on the Books Over Boys Campaign or partnership inquiries, please contact Beyond the Classroom Foundation www.beyondtheclassroomfoundation.org