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Kaduna, Borno lead at inaugural award in sports, arts, innovation
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, May 27, launched the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Additional Financing to States and the AGILE Games Award Ceremony.
Addressing children, dignitaries, and education leaders at the Children’s Day celebration at the State House, she described Nigerian children as “the heartbeat of the nation.”
She urged the children: “Keep learning, keep creating and know that your potential to make a real difference in Nigeria is limitless.”
Congratulating all Nigerian children, she highlighted the importance of the World Bank-funded AGILE project, which aims to eradicate out-of-school children and keep girls in school. “Every child represented here today has demonstrated what is possible when opportunity meets support,” she said. “You all have shown us that the good seeds planted are already bearing fruit.”
Encouraging the children to seize every opportunity, she added, “I seize this opportunity to say to every child here: whether or not you receive an award today, you are all champions.”
She thanked governors, traditional rulers, and religious leaders for their roles in mobilising communities and championing girls’ education: “To our governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders, I thank you all. Your leadership is crucial in mobilising communities, encouraging school enrolment and championing girls’ education. Let us continue to stand united in this shared vision.”
Mrs Tinubu also informed of upcoming initiatives by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), including the launch of Environment Clubs for secondary schools and Environment Societies for tertiary institutions, as well as the “Flow with Confidence” programme to provide sanitary pads to girls in rural communities.
“To our dear students, please go to school and complete your education. Staying in school and excelling in your studies will give you the knowledge and skills you need for a secure future. Never stop believing in what you can achieve,” she advised.
Minister for Education, Dr Tunji Olausa Alausa, described the initiative as a milestone, stating: “It is our view in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration that education is not just a human right. It is a national security imperative. This is why every textbook is a child in the foundation of peace and prosperity. Every school lunch is an act of social justice. And every trained teacher is a guardian of education.”
He emphasised that there should be no doubt about the administration’s commitment to realising the potential of every Nigerian child. “Let no one be in doubt, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are keen to ensure that the potential maximum of Nigerian children is met with purpose and that the promises we make for the future today, by compelling policy reforms, we are making good progress turning plans into actions,” he stated.
According to him, in just 11 months, the Ministry has moved decisively from planning to implementation. The minister highlighted the launch of the School Improvement Programme in all 36 states, supported by ₦2 billion in new investment for school-based management committees and over ₦20 billion dedicated to teachers’ professional development. More than 100,000 school-based management committees have been empowered to take charge of local school governance, reflecting a belief that “transformation will begin from the school gates.”
To enhance teaching quality, over 250,000 educators have received training in digital literacy, child-centred pedagogy, and inclusive teaching methods. The minister also pointed to the ₦800 billion HOPE-EDU Basic Education Reform, which introduces results-based funding to strengthen access, equity, and measurable learning outcomes. Infrastructure development has seen the construction or renovation of more than 3,000 schools and classrooms, with over 5 million instructional materials distributed to support learning.
Alausa underscored the centrality of children in the administration’s policy: “We have put our children, not structures, at the centre of policy and left at the core of our system.” He announced the launch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, with additional financing for states including Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Delta, Enugu, and Taraba. He described this initiative as “the most impactful initiative to improve their education in the history of our country.”
He emphasised that the expansion of educational opportunities is not merely administrative but transformational: “The expansion is not mere administrative. It is transformational. We are consulting and innovating schools.” The ministry is delivering water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, distributing learning materials, training teachers, and engaging communities, with strong support from partners such as the World Bank.
The minister concluded with a powerful commitment: “Under President Tinubu’s agenda, we will educate every child, wherever he comes from, support women, not just admire, build a nation not only of growth and language, but of leaders, writers, thinkers, dreamers and doers.” He reminded the audience that “children are the future. They’re not waiting for the future. Today, the future stood up, received the medal and said, I’m ready. I pledge that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is also ready to empower our future with all it takes.”
World Bank Country Director, Mr Taimur Samad, noted that AGILE is the organisation’s second-largest project in Nigeria. “With two-thirds of girls who start schooling dropping out before they finish in Nigeria, AGILE is working on changing this narrative. We hope to support 50 million students.”
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, representing the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), described the AGILE programme as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s commitment to girls’ education.
He conveyed the collective felicitations of the forum, stressing that the event was not only a celebration of Children’s Day but also a reflection of the nation’s shared dedication to transforming the lives of young people—especially girls.
Zulum highlighted the scale and impact of the AGILE project: “With this $1.2 billion investment—$500 million in original financing and an additional $700 million—Nigeria is making one of the biggest commitments to girls’ education in the history of Nigeria.” He noted that 8.6 million girls across 18 states are being reached, with over 25 million people—including teachers, families, and communities—benefiting from the initiative. He projected: “By the end of the project, we expect a 3.5 times increase in girls’ secondary school enrolment and an improvement in the national completion rate from 42% to 52%. This is not theoretical. These are measurable gains that change lives and shape futures.”
Despite these advances, Zulum acknowledged ongoing challenges: “But we cannot ignore the challenges. According to global data, around 10 million girls are out of school in Nigeria. As a nation, we simply cannot accept this situation to remain unchanged.”
He detailed the proactive steps taken by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, including prioritising and financing girl child education, supporting school initiatives, WASH infrastructure, and gender-sensitive teacher recruitment. “Through the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Secretariat, we are also helping states generate and use gender-disaggregated data to address disparities in enrolment, completion, and learning outcomes,” he said. The governor also highlighted partnerships with the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation in education financing and adolescent development.
He concluded with a message of hope and responsibility: “As we honour our children today, let us remember no child should be forced to choose between safety and school, between culture and dignity. We owe them more. And through AGILE and through our actions at state level, we are beginning to deliver on that promise.”
Zulum also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the First Lady for their support, and commended the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC.
He noted the significant impact of AGILE in Borno State, where 104 new schools were constructed and 2,931 schools rehabilitated. “Today’s award performance and inspiring stories remind us: when we empower girls, we have lived on. Let us keep building a Nigeria where every girl can rise, lead, and thrive.”
The Governor of Taraba State pledged his commitment to girls’ education and assured that his state will participate in the next award ceremony.
Meanwhile, in a vibrant celebration of young talent and achievement, the AGILE Games Awards honoured outstanding students from across Nigeria at the State House in Abuja. The event, held as part of the Children’s Day festivities, recognised excellence in both sports and the arts.
On the sports front, Kaduna State’s girls’ basketball team and Kano State’s boys’ basketball team both claimed victory in their respective categories. Borno State demonstrated its strength in volleyball, with both its girls’ and boys’ teams securing first place.
The ceremony also featured a special dance performance titled “Slum to Stage,” showcasing the artistic spirit of children from underprivileged backgrounds and highlighting the transformative power of the AGILE initiative.
In the arts and literacy categories, notable winners emerged from various states. Ekiti State’s Deborah Bello was awarded for her outstanding essay, while Michael Destiny from Kaduna State won the Poetry Out Loud competition. Maryann Mamman of Borno State was recognised for her short story, and Zuhair Umar from Kaduna impressed with her painting.
Fatima Nurudeen from Kano State took home honours for her work in literacy, leadership, and innovation. The debate competition was won by the trio of Success, Elimimian, and Favour from Kaduna State. A standout moment came when Awelewa Eniola, a physically challenged child, presented his painting to the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Tinubu, in a touching display of talent and courage.
The Spelling Bee was won by Blessing Temilade Ade from Kaduna State, while the environmental and entrepreneurship prize went to the team of Amina, Albaba Khadija, and Mukhtar Hassan from Katsina State.