World Bank’s Bold $1.2bn Investment to Transform Girls’ Education in Nigeria

World Bank’s Bold $1.2bn Investment to Transform Girls’ Education in Nigeria
The World Bank has committed $1.2 billion to improve education for adolescent girls in 18 states across Nigeria.
This initiative is part of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme, which aims to expand access to quality secondary education and economic opportunities for girls.
World Bank Country Director, Mr. Ndiame Diop, made this announcement at the AGILE relaunch event in Abuja on Friday. He was represented by Tina George, the Bank’s Senior Social Protection Specialist.
Diop emphasized that this massive investment would transform Nigeria’s future by ensuring more girls receive education and empowerment.
“AGILE is a transformative initiative that holds the potential to reshape the future of Nigeria,” he said.
He described AGILE as a multi-sectoral programme operating at both federal and state levels. Its goal is to significantly boost the number of adolescent girls who complete secondary school and gain essential life skills.
“An educated girl is truly a mirror, a mother of her community. When a girl is educated and empowered, she is a reflection of the community around her,” Diop added.
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The programme covers Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
According to Diop, AGILE will directly impact more than 25 million people. Specifically, 15.2 million students will benefit, including 8.6 million adolescent girls—both married and unmarried, as well as those with disabilities.
The initiative also seeks to change societal attitudes toward girls’ education by involving community members in the transformation process.
Diop stated that AGILE has already made significant progress. So far, 104 secondary schools have been built, and 3,922 schools have been rehabilitated to accommodate both boys and girls.
More than two million girls have directly benefited from the programme, while over 1.7 million boys have also gained from its implementation.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, educational institutions, and civil society groups in breaking down barriers that prevent girls from accessing education.
The World Bank pledged its continued support for education-focused initiatives, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.
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