Kwara State Government has begun disbursement of N40,000 conditional cash transfer to no fewer than 32,420 female pupils of public secondary schools.

At least 898 public secondary schools are also to be equipped with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities to strengthen access to safe water and improve public hygiene.

The initiative is being implemented under the State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

Speaking at the start of the disbursement, the governor’s wife, Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, described Kwara AGILE project as a deliberate step towards ensuring adolescent girls were given a fair chance in life to have secondary education and be empowered.

Mrs AbdulRazaq, who joined the session virtually, said by empowering girls with life skills and digital literacy skills, they were being prepared not only for academic success, but also for meaningful participation in the modern workforce upon attainment of adulthood.

“The project prioritises life skill education for girls, equipping them with confidence, communication skills, critical thinking and practical knowledge needed to navigate school, relationships and future careers,” she said at the symbolic presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries.

“In today’s rapidly evolving world, digital literacy skills have also become essential, and our schools are being strengthened to provide girls with access to the tools and training required to thrive in a technology-driven economy.”

She hailed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to human capital development, gender equity and uplift of the female folk.

She pledged continuous support of her office and her non-governmental organisation (NGO), Ajike People Support Centre, to the state government in driving enrolment of school age children, particularly the female.

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“Just recently, we distributed school sandals to secondary school students across the state to ease the burden on parents.

“We have at different times also presented school items ranging from school bags to stationery and writing materials,” Mrs AbdulRazaq said.

At the event were top government officials, educationists, students and parents.

Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the grant for adolescent girls would stimulate their interest to enrol in schools, thus curbing the dropout syndrome.

“The AGILE Project represents yet another strategic and compassionate intervention of this administration. It is designed to remove the barriers that hinder the educational progression of our adolescent girls, especially at crucial transition stages,” he said.

“The conditional cash transfer being launched today is not just a financial support, it is also a statement of faith in the dream of every girl and an invitation to remain in school, stay focused and rise above economic limitations.”

The commissioner said the grant was not a one-off benefit, as students, who attended classes regularly and performed excellently would get an addition of N10,000 per academic term.

He urged the affected parents and guardians to use the fund judiciously, to serve its original purpose.