Across Nigeria and globally, millions of adolescent girls drop out of school every year due to lack of encouragement, poverty, early marriage, societal pressure, low self-belief, and limited access to role models who reflect what is possible for them. Many girls are rarely given the leadership support they need to see themselves as capable, powerful, and deserving of opportunity.
It is against this backdrop that the Beyond the Classroom Foundation (BTCF) implemented the ReIGNITE Girls in School Programme, a week-long leadership and empowerment initiative that supported 100 adolescent girls from four schools across Karu. The programme ran from Monday, 19th January 2026 to Saturday, 24th January 2026, culminating in a reflection and graduation event held in the Kano community, which also coincided with the International Day of Education.
The ReIGNITE Girls in School Programme was designed to build self-awareness, confidence, leadership skills, and healthy decision-making among in-school adolescent girls. Through interactive sessions, group discussions, mentorship activities, and reflection exercises, participants explored their strengths, challenged limiting beliefs, and developed practical action plans to positively impact their schools and communities.
The programme directly addressed the challenges many girls face by showing them that they are worthy, capable, and able to become anything they aspire to be. Over the course of the week, participants learned that leadership is not about titles or perfection, but about making positive choices, using their voices, standing up for themselves, and inspiring others through everyday actions.
Speaking at the programme, Adah Emmanuel, Project Manager, Beyond the Classroom Foundation, said:
“The ReIGNITE Girls in School Programme is about more than education; it is about helping girls rediscover their value, their voice, and their leadership potential. When girls are encouraged and supported, they begin to see new possibilities for themselves. We are proud of each of these 100 girls and the growth they have shown throughout this week.”
Also speaking, Faith Okoro, Assistant Project Manager, BTCF and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, emphasized the importance of safe spaces and mentorship for adolescent girls:
“Programmes like ReIGNITE create the kind of supportive environment girls need to thrive. When girls are given the space to speak, learn, and lead, they grow in confidence and begin to believe in what is possible for their future.”
Raquel Kasham Daniel, Founder of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, also addressed the participants, inspiring them to carry the lessons forward:
“Every girl here has the potential to lead and create positive change. This programme is only the beginning of your journey. What you do with what you have learned will shape your future and the future of your communities.”
The programme was facilitated by a dedicated team of trainers, including Christy Onogwu, Idongesit Essienobong, Morenikejimi Olaniran, Mayowa Adegbile, Aderonke Olisa, and Excel Ogaba, who led sessions on self-awareness, leadership, overcoming limiting beliefs, health and well-being, and changemaking. Their guidance ensured that every girl left the programme with practical skills, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The ReIGNITE Girls in School Programme is part of the Beyond Her Odds Initiative, a flagship programme of Beyond the Classroom Foundation supported by the IGNITE Consortium, which works to promote adolescent girls’ education, protection, and empowerment across underserved communities.
The Beyond the Classroom Foundation remains committed to creating safe spaces, mentorship opportunities, and empowering programmes for adolescent girls, demonstrating that with encouragement, guidance, and leadership support, girls can truly become all they aspire to be.
