Across Nasarawa State, the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a World Bank-assisted project designed to improve access to education for adolescent girls, is making a real impact in boosting enrollment and keeping girls in school. AGILE targets barriers that have historically prevented girls from completing their education, including economic hardship, traditional and social norms, infrastructure gaps, and limited learning support.
Over recent months, the AGILE team has engaged principals, education officials, community leaders and technical partners across the three senatorial zones of the state to review progress and strengthen implementation. In meetings held in Keffi, Lafia and Akwanga, project officials encouraged school leaders to expand girls’ access to communication, entrepreneurial and life-skills training, while emphasising the importance of School Improvement Grants to enhance enrollment and retention in both rural and urban communities.
Project Coordinator Hajiya Aisha Isoga highlighted the need for school communities to take custodianship of the improvements being made, from classroom rehabilitation to learning environments — to ensure that investments translate into a conducive atmosphere for both teaching and learning. Education stakeholders were also urged to prioritise record-keeping, transparency and accountability in rolling out interventions so that more girls can remain in school and thrive.
Dr. John Mamman, Commissioner of Education, reaffirmed the State Government’s support for the AGILE initiative, describing its interventions as transformational for both girls and the wider education sector in Nasarawa. He noted that while the project directly targets girls, its positive effects extend to all students, teachers and community members.
Officials and school leaders also recognised the role of community ownership, urging stakeholders to protect and sustain the infrastructure and support systems provided under AGILE so that more girls can continue to access quality education without interruption.
With strategic support and collaboration, the AGILE project is steadily improving access, retention and learning outcomes for girls across Nasarawa State, helping address some of the long-standing challenges in the education system and opening pathways for brighter futures.
