63-Year-Old Woman Returns to School with Grandchildren
A 63-year-old grandmother from Kano State, Furera Muhammad, has fulfilled her lifelong dream of getting an education by enrolling in an Islamic school in Rigafada, where she now attends classes alongside some of her grandchildren.
Her decision has attracted widespread attention, serving as an inspiring reminder that it is never too late to learn.
Furera said that when she was growing up, girls in her community were rarely given the opportunity to attend school. Reflecting on her childhood, she expressed regret over missing out on formal education and said she believes she would have become a teacher if she had been given the chance to study.
63-Year-Old Woman Returns to School with Grandchildren
Despite her age, she remains determined to learn and improve herself. She said returning to school is not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity to encourage parents to prioritize their daughters’ education.
According to Furera, she hopes her story will inspire young girls to stay committed to their education and show families that educating girls can transform lives and strengthen communities.
She shared her experience during a community engagement program organized by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), in partnership with the Ford Foundation, under the Grannies Network for Change (G-NEC) project.
The initiative brought together dozens of grandmothers to discuss how older women can promote girls’ education, challenge harmful social norms, and help reduce gender-based violence and verbal abuse within families.
The G-NEC project is currently being implemented in selected communities across Kano and Jigawa states. It aims to empower grandmothers to use their influence within their families and communities to support girls’ education, create safer environments for women and girls, and promote positive social change through dialogue and awareness campaigns.
Furera’s journey reflects the project’s core message that education should never be limited by age. Her determination to return to school decades after missing the opportunity serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of ensuring every child especially every girl has the chance to receive an education and pursue their dreams.
63-Year-Old Woman Returns to School with Grandchildren
63-Year-Old Woman Returns to School with Grandchildren
63-Year-Old Woman Returns to School with Grandchildren