First Lady Announces Expansion of AGILE Programme

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday launched a new phase of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme, signalling a renewed commitment to girls’ education across the country. 

The launch coincided with the Children’s Day celebrations held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where children, dignitaries, and education stakeholders gathered to mark the occasion.

The AGILE Additional Financing to States is a major boost to the federal government’s efforts to tackle the crisis of out-of-school children and improve access to education, particularly for adolescent girls. 

The event also featured the maiden AGILE Games Award Ceremony, which recognised exceptional talents in sports, arts, and academics.

Describing Nigerian children as “the heartbeat of the nation,” the First Lady encouraged young learners to continue striving for excellence. 

“Keep learning, keep creating, and know that your potential to make a real difference in Nigeria is limitless,” she said in her address.

While congratulating all participants, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the inclusive spirit of the initiative. “Whether or not you receive an award today, you are all champions,” she said. 

She expressed gratitude to state governors, traditional rulers, and religious leaders for their roles in promoting girls’ education, urging continued collaboration toward a shared national goal.

Mrs. Tinubu also outlined upcoming programmes under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), including the creation of Environment Clubs in secondary schools and Environment Societies in tertiary institutions, alongside a new sanitary pad distribution scheme, Flow with Confidence, aimed at supporting girls in rural areas.

“Stay in school, excel in your studies, and believe in your ability to achieve great things,” she advised the students in attendance.

In his remarks, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, hailed the AGILE expansion as a milestone in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. 

He stressed that education is not only a fundamental right but also a national security priority.

“Every textbook is a building block for peace, every school meal an act of justice, and every trained teacher a guardian of our shared future,” he said.

Alausa detailed the federal government’s efforts to accelerate education reform. 

Within 11 months, he said, the ministry has shifted from planning to action, with initiatives such as the ₦2 billion School Improvement Programme across all states, ₦20 billion allocated to teachers’ training, and over 100,000 school-based management committees empowered to oversee local governance.

More than 250,000 teachers have received training in digital skills and inclusive pedagogy. Infrastructure-wise, over 3,000 classrooms have been built or renovated, and more than 5 million instructional materials have been distributed nationwide.

Alausa also highlighted the recently launched ₦800 billion Hope Basic Education Reform project, which introduces a performance-based funding model to strengthen learning outcomes and reduce disparities in access and quality.

Speaking at the event, World Bank Country Director, Taimur Samad, reaffirmed the institution’s support for AGILE, calling it the World Bank’s second-largest investment in Nigeria. 

“With two-thirds of girls dropping out before completing school, we aim to change that narrative. Our goal is to support up to 50 million students,” he said.

Representing the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described AGILE as a watershed moment for education in Nigeria. 

He noted that the programme’s combined investment of $1.2 billion—$500 million in original funding and an additional $700 million—makes it one of the largest educational commitments in the country’s history.

“Already, over 8.6 million girls across 18 states are benefitting, along with 25 million others including teachers and community members,” Zulum said. 

He projected a 3.5-fold increase in girls’ enrollment and a national improvement in school completion rates from 42% to 52%.

While celebrating progress, he acknowledged the continuing challenge of educating Nigeria’s estimated 10 million out-of-school girls. 

“This situation is unacceptable. We must do more to change it,” he stated.

Zulum outlined the NGF’s interventions, including prioritising girl-child education, expanding gender-sensitive infrastructure, and supporting data-driven strategies to address disparities. 

He cited the example of Borno State, which has constructed 104 new schools and rehabilitated nearly 3,000 under AGILE.

“No child should be forced to choose between safety and schooling. When we empower girls, we empower the nation”, he declared. 

The Governor of Taraba State also expressed his administration’s commitment to improving girls’ education and pledged more active participation in future AGILE programmes.

A highlight of the Children’s Day celebrations was the AGILE Games Awards, which showcased the talents of Nigerian youth in sports, arts, and academics. 

Held at the State House, the vibrant event underscored the AGILE initiative’s broader impact beyond classrooms.

In sports, Kaduna State’s girls’ basketball team and Kano’s boys’ basketball team claimed top honours, while Borno State dominated volleyball with both its girls’ and boys’ teams winning gold.

Creative expression also took centre stage. Ekiti State’s Deborah Bello won best essay, Kaduna’s Michael Destiny was awarded for poetry, and Borno’s Maryann Mamman earned accolades for her short story. 

In the visual arts category, Zuhair Umar of Kaduna impressed judges with her painting, while Kano’s Fatima Nurudeen was honoured for innovation, literacy, and leadership.

Kaduna State also took home the Spelling Bee title through Blessing Temilade Ade and the debate competition via a team of Success, Elimimian, and Favour. 

The environmental and entrepreneurship prize went to a Katsina State trio—Amina, Albaba Khadija, and Mukhtar Hassan.

A particularly emotional moment came when Awelewa Eniola, a physically challenged student, presented his artwork to the First Lady, drawing applause and admiration from the audience.