The Gombe State Government has launched the disbursement of ₦726 million in scholarships to 12,101 female students across junior and senior secondary schools in the state, under the 2024/2025 academic session.
The initiative, implemented through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) — a World Bank–assisted project — aims to boost girls’ access to education, improve learning conditions, and enhance school infrastructure across Gombe State.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony on Friday, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, described the initiative as a milestone in Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to inclusive and quality education.
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“Experience has shown that when you care for the girl child, you are also caring for the family, the community, and the nation,” Jatau stated. “This investment in our girls is an investment in the future of Gombe State.”
According to him, the state government also disbursed School Improvement Grants (SIG) to 537 public secondary schools across the 11 local government areas to improve infrastructure, safety, and learning standards.
The grants were categorized based on school population, with each school receiving between ₦23.1 million and ₦92.4 million.
Dr. Jatau commended the World Bank, the AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), and the Ministry of Education for their efforts in ensuring the success of the project. He urged School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper maintenance of facilities.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, described the programme as a landmark in Governor Yahaya’s educational reforms. She said the initiative reflects the government’s vision of inclusion, equity, and sustainability in the education sector.
“Through Your Excellency’s leadership, Gombe has domesticated and successfully implemented the AGILE project to reach thousands of girls while revitalising community participation in school governance,” Maigari said.
She also congratulated the scholarship beneficiaries, urging them to remain focused and make the most of the opportunity.
The AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna Abdul, explained that the scholarship programme was designed to remove financial barriers that prevent girls from completing their secondary education.
She said each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 per academic session, starting with ₦40,000 for school materials and uniforms, and subsequent payments of ₦10,000 for other learning expenses.
“This financial support may not cover all costs, but it will significantly ease the burden on parents who are eager to educate their daughters despite economic hardship,” Dr. Abdul stated.
According to her, the scheme covers all 11 local government areas, with the first batch of beneficiaries already validated and paid, while the second batch awaits confirmation.
The AGILE project, she added, is not only a response to economic hardship but also a long-term strategy to increase school enrollment, improve retention rates, and ensure more girls complete secondary education in Gombe State.