The World Bank has committed a groundbreaking $1.2 billion to revolutionize girls’ education in Nigeria, marking one of the largest investments in the country’s education sector. This funding, spread across 18 states, is part of a broader effort to bridge the gender gap in education, tackle poverty, and create economic opportunities for millions of adolescent girls.
The announcement was made in Abuja during the relaunch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme. The World Bank Country Director, Ndiame Diop, represented by Senior Social Protection Specialist Tina George, described the initiative as a game-changer that has the power to reshape Nigeria’s future.
AGILE is designed to address key challenges hindering girls’ access to education, including financial barriers, cultural restrictions, and inadequate school infrastructure. The programme aims to increase secondary school enrollment and retention, enhance learning outcomes, and provide adolescent girls with the skills needed to thrive in society.
The $1.2 billion investment is expected to impact over 25 million people, with a direct focus on 15.2 million students, including 8.6 million adolescent girls. The initiative specifically targets both married and unmarried girls, as well as those with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity in education.
The states set to benefit from this initiative include Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara. These states, many of which struggle with low female literacy rates, will see increased school construction, improved infrastructure, and community engagement to encourage more girls to stay in school.
Already, the AGILE programme has made significant progress. More than 104 new secondary schools have been constructed, while 3,922 existing schools have been rehabilitated to provide better learning environments for both girls and boys. This effort aims to reduce the overcrowding and inadequate facilities that have long hindered education in Nigeria.
Beyond school construction, AGILE also focuses on empowering girls with life skills, mentorship programs, and economic opportunities. These interventions are designed to equip young girls with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue their dreams, contribute to their communities, and break cycles of poverty.
The initiative recognizes that education alone is not enough to address the deep-rooted challenges affecting girls in Nigeria. Cultural norms, early marriage, and economic hardship continue to be major barriers. To combat this, AGILE incorporates community engagement programs that involve parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders in advocating for girls’ education.
World Bank officials have stressed that tackling these systemic issues requires collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. By working together, stakeholders can challenge harmful gender norms and create an environment where girls have the same educational opportunities as boys.
The World Bank has pledged continuous support to initiatives that foster education and empowerment in Nigeria. According to Diop, an educated girl is not just an asset to herself but to her entire community, serving as a mirror of progress and development.
As AGILE moves forward, the impact of this $1.2 billion investment will be closely monitored to ensure it delivers measurable results. With millions of girls expected to benefit, the initiative is set to redefine the role of education in Nigeria’s development and unlock new opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.
