Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The World Bank has committed $1.2 billion to advancing girls’ education across 18 Nigerian states, marking a historic investment in human development. This funding, part of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme, aims to enhance access to secondary education and economic empowerment for adolescent girls.
Announcing the initiative in Abuja, World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop represented by senior social protection specialist Tina George underscored the programme’s transformative potential. He emphasized that an educated girl is the backbone of her community, driving long-term societal progress.
AGILE is designed as a multi-sectoral initiative operating at both federal and state levels, targeting over 15.2 million students, including 8.6 million adolescent girls married, unmarried, and those with disabilities. The 18 states set to benefit from the programme include Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
With the goal of addressing systemic barriers to education, the initiative integrates infrastructure development, economic opportunities, and community engagement. Already, AGILE has made remarkable progress, constructing 104 new secondary schools, rehabilitating 3,922 schools, and directly impacting over two million girls. Additionally, 1.7 million boys have benefited from the improved educational facilities.
Beyond education, the initiative seeks to empower entire communities by shifting mindsets and fostering an environment that values female education. Traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and government agencies are being mobilized to support and sustain the programme’s objectives.
As Nigeria continues to battle gender disparities in education, the World Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to breaking barriers and fostering long-term change. With AGILE’s ambitious scale and targeted approach, the future of millions of Nigerian girls and the communities they uplift stands to be transformed.
