The Zamfara State Coordinator Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau has said that the project recorded tremendous achievements in promoting Girl Child Education in the state.
The coordinator stated this in Gusau on Thursday during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebrations.
The event held at Government Girls Secondary School Saminaka Area Gusau, was attended by officials from the State Ministry of Science and Technology, Traditional rulers, Teachers, representatives from the CSOs and the Media.
The AGILE is a World Bank Intervention project, targeting enrollment of thousands of out-of-school adolescent girls in the state.
She said that the project recorded remarkable milestones through investments in school infrastructure, learning resources, financial support, life skills, digital literacy, and community engagement.
The coordinator reiterated the commitment of the project to ensuring that adolescent girls had equitable educational opportunities to learn and succeed like others in the state.
“Today is more than a celebration, it is a call to action., a call to protect our girls, defend their rights, end forced marriage, and create opportunities for every girl to learn, grow, and achieve her full potential,” she said.
According to her, the achievements include the renovation of 740 classrooms, construction of 147 boreholes and 975 toilets, distribution of 340,643 teaching and learning materials and 12,206 furniture seaters…
“Another achievements is disbursement of 8,593 Conditional Cash Transfers in addition, 2,250 adolescent girls and young women have benefited from alternative education.
“To expand access to secondary education, construction of 21 new Senior Secondary Schools and 21 Junior Secondary Schools is ongoing under the AGILE project.
“We have also distributed 1,100 computers and 50 projectors to 50 pilot schools, trained 140 teachers in digital literacy, and trained and supported 11,114 adolescent girls with life skills materials.
“Furthermore, 60 mentors and 396 Guidance and Counselling Officers have received life skills training, while 20 vocational learning centres have been equipped.
“Our commitment to safe, inclusive, and environmentally responsible schools is reflected in the establishment of 167 eco-clubs, distribution of 1,500 protective baskets to promote cleaner and safer schools.
“We have also supported the state policy on gender education and reached and mobilized 7,817 community members on girls’ education.
“We sincerely acknowledge the support of His Excellency, Dr. Dauda Lawal, Executive Governor of Zamfara State through the Mini significantly to these achievements.
“We also appreciate our implementing teams, school administrators, teachers, parents, traditional and religious leaders, media practitioners and community members for their invaluable contributions.
“Therefore, I call on our adolescent girls to remain determined, attend school regularly, embrace life skills, speak up when they face threats, and believe in their ability to shape a brighter future.
“I urge our teachers and school administrators to provide safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where every girl is treated with dignity, encouraged to excel, and protected from abuse and discrimination.
“I appeal to you to prioritize your daughters’ education and support their dreams.
“Let us see girls’ education not as a burden, but as an investment in the wellbeing, prosperity, and progress of our families and communities.
“To our traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders, let us strengthen our advocacy, challenge harmful practices, promote positive social norms, and work together to ensure that no girl is left behind”.
In his remarks, the Magajin Saminaka Area in Gusau, Malam Dayyabu Rab’iu, thanked AGILE for selecting a school in his domain for celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child.
Rab’iu said educating girl child is necessary for the future development of the society.
“Educating a girl is an education to the society, we all know the advantages of girls education from our respective homes,” he said.
He commended the state government for establishing the girls secondary school in the area, saying they had seen its positive impact.