Analysis of Factors Influencing Girls’ Enrolment in Secondary Schools in Sokoto State

This study analyses the factors influencing girls' enrolment in public secondary schools in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria, a region that has historically recorded some of the lowest female secondary school attendance rates in the country. Low female enrolment in secondary education constrains human capital development, perpetuates cycles of poverty, and undermines gender equity in access to educational opportunity. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, targeting 300 female students, parents, teachers, and community leaders from schools in Sokoto South, Illela, and Gwadabawa local government areas. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated through a pilot study. The study examines socioeconomic factors, cultural and religious norms, distance to school, safety concerns, school quality, and the absence of female teachers as enrolment determinants. Logistic regression and chi-square statistics were applied. The study draws on the Gender and Development Framework and the Girls' Education Challenge conceptual model. Findings are expected to identify cultural norms and economic barriers as the most significant constraints to female secondary enrolment. Recommendations target the Sokoto State Government, the Universal Basic Education Commission, USAID, and community stakeholders on culturally sensitive, community-led strategies for improving girls' secondary school enrolment and retention, including scholarships, female teacher recruitment, and proximity-based school construction. The study contributes urgently needed local evidence for gender-responsive education policy in North West Nigeria. Keywords: girls' enrolment, secondary school, gender equity, Sokoto State, cultural barriers