The World Bank has revealed plans to allocate $1.2 billion to support girls’ education in 18 Nigerian states, with a focus on the northern region. This announcement was made by the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Ndiame Diop, during the recent relaunch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program in Abuja.
The beneficiary states are Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Diop elaborated that the initiative is strategically designed to provide extensive support aimed at enhancing secondary education and promoting the empowerment of adolescent girls in Nigeria.
He highlighted the critical role that education plays in shaping the future of young girls, stating that an educated girl is not only a reflection of herself but also acts as a mirror and a nurturing figure within her community. When a girl receives proper education and empowerment, she embodies and reflects the values and potential of the society around her.
Diop outlined that the project is ambitious in its scope, targeting a total of 15.2 million students across 18 Nigerian states. This includes 8.6 million adolescent girls, covering both married and unmarried individuals, as well as girls living with disabilities.
The initiative recognises the unique challenges faced by these groups and seeks to address them through inclusive educational opportunities and empowerment programs. While discussing the progress made so far, Diop pointed out several notable achievements under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program.
He reported that, to date, the initiative has successfully constructed 104 new secondary schools, providing much-needed educational infrastructure in various regions. In addition, 3,922 existing schools have been rehabilitated, ensuring improved learning environments for both female and male students.
AGILE’s Achievements
Diop also shared impressive statistics regarding the number of beneficiaries. He stated that over 2 million girls have directly benefited from the AGILE project, gaining access to better education and opportunities for personal growth. Furthermore, more than 1.7 million boys have also reaped the benefits of the program, emphasising its inclusive approach to education.
Beyond education, Diop explained that the initiative is also focused on empowering adolescent girls through various economic opportunities, aiming to foster independence and self-reliance. The overall goal is to impact over 25 million beneficiaries, thereby contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the country.
In his concluding remarks, Diop reaffirmed the World Bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that drive the growth and development of education in Nigeria. He emphasised the organisation’s dedication to collaborating with local and national stakeholders to ensure sustainable progress in the education sector.
