There seems to be a new commitment among Ministry of Education officials in countries ranging from Malawi to Nigeria to Jordan, especially as discussions ramp up regarding how the issue will fit within the post2015 sustainable development agenda.

Marginalized populations need leaders who draw attention to the issue of girls’ education. Although government leaders in developing countries generally recognize the importance of girls’ education, the ministries they task to work on gender issues are often underresourced and illequipped. The girls that suffer the most and are excluded from education are usually the invisible and likely to be without political representation.

This was my first introduction to a popular Nigerian saying that captures the wit and recognizes the consequences of doing nothing to improve education in the country.