The World Bank has recently granted Nigeria a $700 million loan to further support the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment program (AGILE). This project aims to enhance secondary education opportunities for girls in selected states across Nigeria.
The additional financing will expand the AGILE program from its current coverage of seven states to eleven additional states, broadening its reach to benefit more girls. Specifically, it will include out-of-school girls, those who are married, and those with disabilities.
In the seven states where AGILE is currently implemented (Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau), the program has already made significant strides. The number of girls enrolled in secondary schools has risen from approximately 900,000 to over 1.6 million. Moreover, AGILE has facilitated the renovation of more than 5,000 classrooms and awarded scholarships to over 250,000 eligible girls.
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The initiative goes beyond infrastructure development; it has also focused on improving the quality of education. AGILE has supported the construction and refurbishment of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in secondary schools. Additionally, it has installed computers and solar panels, creating a more conducive learning environment for both girls and boys. The program encompasses life skills training, systems strengthening, and advocacy efforts, all of which address societal norms that hinder girls’ access to education.
Shubham Chaudhuri, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, highlighted the importance of closing gender gaps in economic empowerment by ensuring that girls have access to education and skills. With Nigeria’s working-age population set to become one of the world’s youngest and largest, investing in adolescent girls is crucial for the nation’s overall economic prospects and growth.
Aside from the girls who will directly benefit from this financing, the impact extends to over 15 million students and various stakeholders. This includes teachers, administrators, families, communities, and staff in both existing and newly constructed schools.
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