From school dropout to graduate: Lady Aika urges girls to choose education over marriage

She once gave up on school after Form Four, but today she is a university graduate. Musician Malaika Chikalimba, known as Lady Aika, is now encouraging young girls across Malawi to choose education over marriage, saying it can transform lives.

The artist made the remarks after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Youth Development with a credit from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), marking a significant milestone in a journey that nearly ended after she left school years ago, before later returning to complete her education.

Speaking in an interview, Lady Aika revealed that after completing her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), she lost hope and decided not to continue pursuing her education.

“I gave up after Form Four. I did not want to write examinations again,” she said.

However, she said encouragement from people around her convinced her to return to school and sit for the examinations once more, a decision that ultimately changed the course of her life.

“I met people who encouraged me to go back and write again. I passed, and that is how everything changed about my life,” she said.

Reflecting on her graduation, the musician said her experience demonstrates the importance of perseverance and education, particularly for girls facing difficult circumstances.

“Who knew that I would graduate today?” she said. “If I had not listened to those who encouraged me to go back to school, things could have been very different.”

Lady Aika said girls should not view marriage as an alternative to education, arguing that today’s world requires women to become educated and economically independent.

“Moving out of school is not an option, especially in this era as a girl because we have grown into a generation where we have seen women becoming independent, not only relying on marriage or men as a source of living,” she said.

While acknowledging that young people can pursue business opportunities, she said education should remain a priority.

“For marriage, it’s something that I would not recommend and I would not encourage young girls to do. If there are problems making someone think of dropping out, there is always a solution. The important thing is to find that solution and continue with school,” she said.

The musician also directed her message to girls in rural communities and those facing poverty, encouraging them not to lose sight of their ambitions despite the challenges they encounter.

“If you put yourself first and put education with it, I feel like you have a brighter future. There are many things that may make us want to give up, but if you stick to your goals, you can go very far,” she said.

Lady Aika further described education as one of the most effective tools for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for a better life.

Her story has also highlighted the possibility of balancing academics with other passions. Throughout her university studies, she continued pursuing her music career, a challenge she described as difficult but worthwhile.

“For me, balancing music and school was one of the things I was excited to do. It was very hard, but I knew it was important,” she said.

As she celebrates her academic achievement, Lady Aika hopes her journey, from giving up on school to graduating with a university degree, will inspire young people to remain committed to their dreams despite setbacks.

Her message comes at a time when stakeholders continue to advocate for increased access to education for girls as a key strategy for promoting women’s empowerment and national development.