Massive Investment in 18 States
The World Bank has committed a substantial $1.2 billion to enhance girls’ education in Nigeria, specifically targeting 18 states including Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
AGILE Program Re-launched
During the relaunch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Abuja, World Bank Country Director Mr. Ndiame Diop, represented by Tina George, highlighted the program’s transformative potential.
Empowering Through Education
“AGILE is not just an investment; it’s a vision for Nigeria’s future,” Diop noted, emphasizing the initiative’s aim to increase secondary educational attainment and empower adolescent girls. The AGILE program, worth $1.2 billion, is designed to work at both federal and state levels, fostering comprehensive support for girls’ education.
Wide-Reaching Impact
The project aspires to empower over 25 million individuals by focusing on 15.2 million students, with a special emphasis on 8.6 million adolescent girls, including those married or with disabilities. “An educated girl reflects the health of her community,” Diop remarked, illustrating the broader community benefits of educating girls.
Infrastructure and Support
To date, AGILE has led to the construction of 104 new secondary schools and the rehabilitation of 3,922 schools, directly benefiting over 2 million girls and 1.7 million boys.
Collaborative Efforts for Change
Diop stressed the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to dismantle systemic barriers to girls’ education, committing the World Bank’s ongoing support for educational development in Nigeria.