FG Ranks Jigawa Among Top States in Girl-Child Education, Praises AGILE Project Success By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse

The Federal Government has praised the Jigawa State Government for its remarkable achievements in girl-child education, digital learning expansion, and educational inclusion through the effective implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.

Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, to Umar Namadi at the Government Duste the Jigawa state Capital 

The commendation was made during a courtesy visit by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, to Umar Namadi at the Government House in Dutse as part of ongoing monitoring and stakeholder engagement activities under the World Bank-supported AGILE Project.

The AGILE Project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education, is aimed at improving access to secondary education, strengthening life skills, promoting digital learning, and supporting adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20, especially in underserved communities.

Members of ministry of education with the Governor in Duste 

Speaking during the visit, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Education was impressed by the level of commitment demonstrated by the Jigawa State Government in improving educational opportunities for vulnerable children.

She explained that members of her delegation visited schools and project sites in Miga, Kazaure, Dutse, Ringim, and Birnin Kudu local government areas, where they observed significant improvements in school infrastructure, digital learning facilities, sanitation systems, and support services for adolescent girls.

According to her, the AGILE Project in Jigawa has made measurable progress in expanding access to education and improving learning conditions across the state.

She disclosed that under the programme, 1,360 classrooms had been rehabilitated, 667 toilet facilities constructed, and 694 motorized boreholes installed to improve access to water in schools.

The minister further revealed that over 75,000 pieces of furniture, along with thousands of teaching and learning materials, had been distributed to schools to enhance classroom environments and learning outcomes.

Minster of State education in presentation of Award to the Governor.

On the life-skills component of the programme, she said more than 11,000 adolescent girls were benefiting from mentoring and empowerment initiatives supported by 420 trained mentors.

She also commended the confidence, communication abilities, and leadership qualities displayed by students during interactions at beneficiary schools.

Professor Ahmad applauded the state’s growing investment in digital education, noting that 100 senior secondary schools had been equipped with ICT laboratories, computers, solar systems, internet connectivity, projectors, and other digital learning tools under the AGILE initiative.

According to her, the interventions align with the Federal Government’s broader digital education reform agenda designed to prepare students for computer-based learning and examinations.

She further announced that Jigawa State had been selected as one of eight pilot states for the forthcoming LUMINAH 2030 Initiative, a national programme aimed at expanding educational access and alternative learning pathways for vulnerable girls and out-of-school children.

The minister attributed the state’s selection to its consistent commitment to girl-child education and educational inclusion.

“I will not be wrong to say that among the 36 states and the FCT, Jigawa State ranks among the leading states supporting girl-child education in Nigeria,” she stated.

She added that the educational transformation taking place in Jigawa was both encouraging and inspiring.

“I want every girl child to have the opportunities that I had — and even greater opportunities. It is my hope that if educational hope can rise in Jigawa, then it can rise across Nigeria,” she said.

Responding, Governor Namadi appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education for its partnership and support through the AGILE Project and other educational interventions.

He described education as a major pillar of his administration’s 12-Point Development Agenda and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

The governor explained that the state government had introduced additional monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality project delivery.

He also highlighted investments in technical and vocational education, including the establishment of eight Centres of Excellence and the upgrade of the School of Preliminary Studies, Babura, into a College of Technical and Vocational Education.

Governor Namadi further spoke on the Danmodi Student Care Initiative, established to support vulnerable students unable to continue their education due to financial or academic challenges.

According to him, more than 9,936 students identified under the programme had received remedial support and sponsorship for WAEC examinations, with over 85 percent successfully meeting the requirements needed to continue their education.

He assured the Federal Ministry of Education of Jigawa State’s continued support for programmes aimed at improving educational access, strengthening skills development, and empowering vulnerable children.

“We believe no child in Jigawa State should be left behind. That is why we will continue investing in education and creating opportunities for every child to succeed,” the governor stated.