Gombe State Government has commenced the disbursement of N726 million to 12,101 female students from public junior and senior secondary schools across the state. The financial support, meant for the 2024/2025 academic session, aims to improve access to quality education for adolescent girls and enhance school infrastructure.
The initiative is part of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, a World Bank–assisted programme. The disbursement, carried out through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) and Girls’ Scholarships, is expected to boost educational development in Gombe State and promote equal opportunities for young girls.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony on Friday, Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau described the event as a major step toward achieving inclusive and quality education for all children in the state. He noted that the initiative reflects the state government’s continuous commitment to educational advancement and gender equality.
Jatau said the support specifically targets female students because of their resilience, compassion, and impact on family and community growth. “Experience has shown that when you care for the girl child, you are also caring for the family, community, and the nation. This investment in our girls is an investment in the future of Gombe State,” he stated.
He further announced that the government has also disbursed School Improvement Grants to 537 public secondary schools across the 11 local government areas of the state. The grants, he said, are aimed at improving school infrastructure, safety, and learning conditions.
According to him, “The sum of N23.1 million each for schools with about 200 students, N46.2 million each for schools with about 500 students, and N92.4 million each for schools with over 1,000 students” have been allocated. He called on School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) and communities to ensure proper use, monitoring, and maintenance of facilities funded by the grants.
The deputy governor also commended the World Bank, the AGILE Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), and the Ministry of Education for their commitment to the successful implementation of the programme.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, described the flag-off as a major step in Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s vision to transform education in the state, especially in the basic and secondary school sectors.
“This initiative represents a shared vision of inclusion, equity, and sustainable development. 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,” she said.
Dr Maigari also called on SBMCs to ensure transparent use of the funds and congratulated the beneficiaries, advising them to stay dedicated to their studies.
The state’s AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr Amina Haruna Abdul, explained that the programme was designed to remove barriers to girls’ education by offering financial assistance, improving school infrastructure, and strengthening management systems.
She said the scholarships cut across all 11 local government areas and that the first batch of beneficiaries has already received payment, while the second cohort has been enrolled and awaits validation.
“Each girl under this scheme will receive N50,000 per academic session. At the point of transition, students will receive an initial N40,000 to help them purchase school uniforms and writing materials. Subsequently, they will receive N10,000 periodically to cover school-related expenses, including small snacks, stationery, and other learning needs,” she explained.
Dr Abdul added that the financial support will help parents and guardians who face economic challenges in keeping their daughters in school. She noted that the project is not intended to cover all educational costs but will significantly reduce financial burdens and promote continuous schooling for girls.
She further stated that the initiative would increase school enrollment, improve retention rates, and ensure that more female students in Gombe State complete their secondary education.