Early marriage shouldn’t stop girls from schooling — Says first female professor of mechanical engineering in Northern Nigeria

The belief that women cannot combine marriage and education is one of the major factors pushing many girls out of school in parts of Northern Nigeria, especially in rural communities.

SolaceBase reports that while early marriage remains a common practice in some areas, it continues to hinder many girls from pursuing higher education, with the misconception that academic life ends at the altar.

However, Professor Umma Abdullahi, the first female professor of mechanical engineering in Northern Nigeria and the second in the country, has debunked this belief, saying marriage should never be an obstacle to education.

In an exclusive interview with SolaceBase, she stressed the importance of women’s education, describing it as key to solving many societal challenges.

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According to her, women are the backbone of every society and possess an economic mindset that can greatly contribute to national development.

She recalled her journey, saying, “I got married after secondary school. When I started university, I already had a child. With proper planning, women can handle both marriage and education. I even became more focused after marriage.”

She shared how one of her lecturers once asked if she was married, and after confirming it, he said, “No wonder you’re more settled.”

Prof. Umma also narrated the challenges she faced, including attempts by people to discourage her from studying mechanical engineering, telling her it was not a course for women.

She stated that, “They said I would be crawling under cars and should change my course. But I love challenges. I like doing things people are afraid of.

“I didn’t even choose the course; it was given to me after remedial studies at BUK. I saw it as destiny and accepted it wholeheartedly,” she added.

After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bayero University Kano, she proceeded to Malaysia for her PhD.

She has since taught at Kano State University of Science and Technology Wudil, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and BUK.

Prof. Umma emphasized that there is no such thing as a ‘men’s course’ or ‘women’s course,’ citing examples from Malaysia where women make up a majority of bus drivers and work in male-dominated fields.

She credited her success to the encouragement she received from her mother, who believed in her academic potential from an early age.

“My mother always believed I could do anything. I used to come first in class, and that built her confidence in me. That support pushed me to succeed,” she said.

Prof. Umma urged parents to prioritise girls’ education and identify their talents early on.

She also warned against the influence of bad peers, advising parents to separate their children from those who show no interest in education.