The Nasarawa State Government has officially launched the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project to improve 490 public secondary schools across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the flag-off event in Lafia on Monday, Governor Abdullahi Sule explained that the project was approved following the payment of a N150 million counterpart fund by the state government. He said the AGILE initiative would help the state address key challenges related to access, retention, and the quality of education for adolescent girls.
He appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education for including Nasarawa in the School Improvement Grant and assured continued support to ensure the success of the project. The governor also urged School-Based Management Committees and other stakeholders to manage resources transparently and in line with approved plans.
According to Governor Sule, the AGILE programme focuses on helping adolescent girls, especially in secondary school, complete their education and gain life skills for personal development. He said the project would also involve constructing new schools and hiring qualified teachers to meet the growing needs.
In her remarks, the Nasarawa State AGILE Project Coordinator, Aishatu Isoga, stated that the project aims to expand education opportunities for girls between ages 10 and 20, particularly those at risk of dropping out due to financial or social challenges.
She explained that the School Improvement Grant is a major component of the initiative and will support schools in upgrading infrastructure, providing learning materials, improving water and hygiene facilities, and creating safe, inclusive environments for girls.
Isoga added that 515 public secondary schools will benefit from the grant in three categories: 331 small grants, 159 medium grants, and 25 large grants. The first phase, which covers 490 schools, will focus on small and medium grants and will be implemented in two stages.
The State Commissioner for Education, John Mamman, also pledged the ministry’s commitment to ensuring smooth implementation of the AGILE project across all LGAs in the state.
