From Displacement And Distance to Classroom: Adolescent And Young Mothers Lament Barriers That Hinder Return To School

By Abdulsalam Alkali

Photo; Abdulsalam Alkali/DAILYCHRONICLES.

Hauwa Tijjani, a 17-year-old married adolescent from Sulumri community in Maiduguri, has refused to allow conflict, poverty, and early marriage to end her dream of becoming educated.

Originally from Shehuri North Area in Maiduguri, Hauwa’s family was displaced during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. The crisis forced them to relocate to Sulumri, a remote community with no formal school and limited access to education.

Hauwa began her education at the age of six in an Islamic school. According to her, her father was initially opposed to Western education, but her mother convinced him to allow her to attend school.

“At first, I attended only Islamic school because my father was resistant to Western education. My mother persuaded him, and he later supported me with everything until he could no longer afford it,” Hauwa recalled.

After relocating to Sulumri, she enrolled at Shankafuri Primary School alongside other children from the community. Accessing education, however, remained a daily struggle. With no school in Sulumri, Hauwa had to trek long distances every day to attend classes in neighboring communities.

Following her primary education, she proceeded to Government Senior Secondary School and later transferred to Women Day Secondary School in Maiduguri. The distance and transportation costs eventually became overwhelming.

“I left school in SS2 and got married at 16,” she said emotionally. “I was doing small business while in school, but it suffered setbacks. My father also lost his livelihood because of the conflict, and the support he gave me was no longer enough. At that point, marriage seemed like the only option, even though I still wanted to continue my education.”

Although Hauwa was not forced into marriage, she explained that the decision was influenced by her fading hope of continuing school. She introduced the man she was in a relationship with to her family, believing marriage might provide stability amid hardship.

After marriage, Hauwa feared her education had come to an end. However, through resilience and determination, she found a way back to school despite persistent challenges such as transportation difficulties, financial hardship, and the absence of schools within her community.

Today, she continues her studies with support from her elder brother, who assists with school uniforms, books, PTA fees, and other educational needs.

“He tries his best, but the challenges are still there. We need a school in our community because transportation has always been a serious problem. Sometimes I miss school for days because I cannot afford transport fare,” she explained.

To support herself, Hauwa makes local Kanuri caps and sells traditional sweets known as ‘Alewa’. The small business helps her cover transportation costs and purchase school materials. “This little business helps me pay for transport, buy pens, and other things I need for school,” she said.

Hauwa Tijjani; married adolescent at Sulumri. Photo; Abdulsalam Alkali/DAILYCHRONICLES

Despite the obstacles she has faced, Hauwa remains hopeful about the future. “I want to study and become a doctor one day. This is my dream, and by Allah’s grace, I will achieve it.”

Residents of Sulumri say Hadiza’s story reflects the wider educational challenges facing children and young people in the community. With no formal school available, many students are forced to walk long distances to neighboring areas such as Moduganari to access education.

Similarly, Fatima Musa also in Sulumri now 20, left school at primary 5 and was forced into marriage she never wanted. ‘ I never wanted marriage, I want to be educated but poverty and lack became a barrier’ she said almost teary. She further state that ‘ I followed what my parent wanted’.

Fatima now an adolescent mother of one still want to return back to school ‘ I understand that education make people useful and I see how educated people live with purpose that’s why I want to be educated too’ I didn’t return back to school because there is no one to shoulder my education.’ She said.

She added that ‘ if I could get sponsorship, or a school in our community that enroll young mother like me, I will gladly return back to school’ A community member noted that the lack of nearby schools continues to discourage many children, especially girls, from pursuing education, increasing their vulnerability to early marriage and poverty.

Residential home for internally displaced persons in Sulumri, a community under Maiduguri Metropolitan Council. Photo; Abdulsalam Alkali/DAILYCHRONICLES

A community member who speak in anonymity noted that the lack of nearby schools continues to discourage many children, especially girls, from pursuing education, increasing their vulnerability to early marriage and poverty.