World Bank Invests Heavily in Girls’ Education in 18 Nigerian States
In a landmark move to empower adolescent girls and improve secondary education in Nigeria, the World Bank has pledged a substantial investment of $1.2 billion to support the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program in 18 Nigerian states.
The announcement was made during the relaunch of the AGILE program in Abuja, with World Bank officials highlighting the initiative’s objectives to address the pressing issues of secondary education and empowerment for adolescent girls.
According to Mr. Ndiame Diop, the World Bank Country Director, who represented the Bank through Senior Social Protection Specialist, Tina George, the AGILE program aims to support secondary education for adolescent girls and enhance their overall empowerment. “An educated girl is truly a mirror, a mother of her community,” Diop stated, underscoring the significance of investing in the education of adolescent girls. When a girl is educated and empowered, she is a reflection of the community around her.”
The AGILE program is a multi-sectoral initiative implemented at both the federal and state levels, targeting 18 states in Nigeria: Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The program aims to reach a staggering 15.2 million students, with 8.6 million being adolescent girls, including those who are married, unmarried, and individuals with disabilities.
The World Bank’s $1.2 billion investment is expected to benefit over 25 million people through education and empowerment opportunities provided by the project. The program’s broader goal is to create an education system that promotes gender equality and inclusivity, particularly for marginalized groups.
Speaking at the relaunch, Diop emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, to address the systemic challenges that prevent girls from accessing education. He stressed that collective efforts are necessary to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of girls’ educational success.
Since its inception, the AGILE program has made significant strides in improving educational infrastructure. According to Diop, over 104 new secondary schools have been built, and 3,922 schools have been rehabilitated to support both girls and boys, thereby improving the learning environment and increasing school attendance, especially for girls. Additionally, the program has directly benefited over 2 million girls and 1.7 million boys.
The AGILE program is a key step towards ensuring that more girls have the opportunity to succeed academically and economically. With the World Bank’s substantial investment, Nigeria is poised to make significant strides in promoting girls’ education and empowerment, ultimately shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
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