Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens, particularly women and girls, through targeted social initiatives.

Speaking at the launch of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project at Government House, Lokoja, Governor Ododo said the initiative demonstrates the state’s dedication to providing quality and safe education for girls.

Describing the AGILE project as a milestone for educational empowerment, he stressed: “An educated girl is not only an empowered individual but a catalyst for national development.”

According to a statement from the Government House Media Team, the governor noted that the AGILE-CCT represents more than just financial assistance, calling it an investment in human capital development.

He explained that the scheme aims to boost enrollment, retention, and transition rates for adolescent girls, thereby contributing to Kogi’s long-term social and economic growth.

Ododo also pointed out that Kogi remains one of the states with the lowest rate of out-of-school children, crediting former Governor Yahaya Bello for facilitating the state’s inclusion in the World Bank-supported AGILE project.

Encouraging the beneficiaries to make meaningful use of the funds, the governor said empowering the girl-child will strengthen families, communities, and the nation as a whole.

Under the programme, a cash grant of ₦40,000 will be given to 13,359 adolescent girls in transition classes across the state to help remove financial barriers to education and promote school retention.

Commissioner for Education and Chairman of the State Project Steering Committee, Wemi Jones, praised Governor Ododo’s leadership, noting that it continues to attract impactful projects to the state. He urged girls to attend school consistently and encouraged parents to support their children’s education to ensure completion.

AGILE State Project Coordinator, Ahmed Tijani Oricha, said the initiative is focused on addressing both financial and cultural barriers to girls’ education. He explained that the second phase of the CCT is ongoing, with eligibility based on at least 75 percent school attendance.

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, pledged full support for the girl-child development agenda, describing girls as the nation’s future and calling for sustained investment in their growth.

Representing over 30,000 beneficiaries, Fatima Zahara Salawudeen from the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (MARKAZ) thanked the governor and stakeholders for creating opportunities for female students. She also commended the administration’s free education policy across the 21 local government areas, highlighting the AGILE project as evidence of Governor Ododo’s commitment to securing a brighter future for girls.

By targeting adolescent girls at crucial points in their education, the CCT scheme reflects the Ododo administration’s inclusive approach to social investment and its drive toward building a more equitable and prosperous Kogi State.