No fewer than 74,452 schoolgirls have benefited from financial assistance under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Kano State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AGILE is a project initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and supported by the World Bank.
The initiative is being implemented across 18 states in the country including Kano state.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media, the AGILE Project Coordinator in Kano, Mujtapha Aminu, revealed that the programme has reached 74,452 girls across 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
He further disclosed that the beneficiaries were from the first and second batches, and that an additional 39,000 girls have been registered under the third batch.
Aminu provided a breakdown of the beneficiaries, stating that 28,602 girls had benefited from the first batch, while 45,850 girls received support from the second batch.
The coordinator added that the third batch currently ongoing, has registered 39,000 girls.
According to him, the programme is designed to offer second-chance education opportunities to out-of-school girls and those who have dropped out of conventional schools.
Aminu highlighted that 5,100 out-of-school girls from 13 LGAs have been enrolled in adult education centers, with registrations still ongoing in other LGAs.
“AGILE has provided facilities to 100 schools, including solar power systems, computers, internet access, projectors, and new furniture.
“Additionally, the programme has trained 220 teachers in remote learning, including content development in various subjects, ensuring students can access learning materials online.
“1,226 secondary schools across Kano state received small grants for minor repairs, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, and teaching and learning materials,” he explained.
Aminu further said that 120 girls’ secondary schools have received large grants for major repairs, and 10 selected girls’ secondary schools have been given special grants.
Earlier, Auwalu Halilu, Co-chair of the Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE), noted that these organisations have long been advocates for the implementation of the outcomes from various UN world conferences on women.
“In Nigeria, numerous NGOs and CBOs are working tirelessly to improve adolescent health and promote girl-child education.
“Their efforts focus on critical issues such as healthcare access, empowerment through education, and the eradication of harmful practices,” Halilu said.
He emphasised that the work of NGOs and CBOs is essential in ensuring that young girls have the opportunities to thrive, receive quality education, and access the healthcare they need.