Sokoto State launches AGILE Project and School Improvement Initiatives

In a landmark effort to transform education in Sokoto State, Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto has inaugurated the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project and distributed School Improvement Grants to 240 secondary schools.

The ceremony, held on January 20, 2025, at the Government House, also introduced monthly imprest payments totaling ₦66 million to 330 schools across the state.

He emphasized the critical role of education in driving development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing educational challenges, particularly those affecting adolescent girls. The AGILE Project seeks to enhance young girls’ access to education while equipping them with life skills and financial empowerment opportunities.

Highlighting the significance of the School Improvement Grants, the governor explained that the funds would focus on upgrading school infrastructure, providing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, and fostering a secure learning environment. He urged school administrators and management committees to ensure transparency and effective utilization of the funds for impactful results.

Dr. Ahmad Aliyu outlined several milestones achieved by his administration, including the construction of 147 classrooms, renovation of 142 others, the provision of 208 VIP toilets, and the recruitment of 2,000 new teachers for secondary and nomadic schools. Furthermore, he announced the re-introduction of the school feeding program in 23 boarding schools, benefiting over 17,000 students, with an annual investment of ₦680.7 million.

The governor also highlighted initiatives such as the payment of external examination fees for final-year students, regardless of their backgrounds, and the distribution of sporting facilities to public schools. Plans for the renovation and remodeling of key educational institutions, including military and government science schools, as well as girls’ secondary schools, were also unveiled.

In his address, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the World Bank, and other development partners for their invaluable support in actualizing the AGILE Project. He assured the people of Sokoto State of his administration’s unwavering dedication to ensuring inclusive, high-quality education for all children.

The event concluded with the official launch of the AGILE Project and the commencement of monthly imprest payments, marking a new era in the state’s education sector.