The Yobe State Government has begun a large-scale financial and empowerment intervention, with the State Emergency Management Agency confirming that each beneficiary from Mallam Dunari will receive N200,000 after completing approved business training, as part of a broader recovery and education support programme.
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Tuesday launched the initiative at the Government House in Damaturu, describing it as an effort to support women, girls and displaced persons across the state.
According to the governor, the initiative provides cash incentives to 32,382 schoolgirls, micro-enterprise grants to 1,500 beneficiaries, and vocational empowerment materials to 340 women. Buni said over N1.2bn was allocated to the programme, which was developed in partnership with the World Bank in 2024 under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment programme.
“This project aligns with our focus on education as a foundation for development, and it requires sustained funding and supervision,” Buni said.
He said his administration has introduced reforms in the education sector, including recruitment and training of teachers, rehabilitation of more than 5,000 classrooms, construction of 13 mega and model schools, and payment of WAEC and NECO fees for final-year students.
Buni said the government established nine senior girls’ day secondary schools to reduce dropout rates and support the transition of female students to senior secondary education.
Also launched was the disbursement of N300m in micro-enterprise grants to 1,500 beneficiaries from Mallam Dunari, a displaced community in Gujba Local Government Area. Buni said the support was designed to rebuild livelihoods affected by insecurity.
“This intervention is part of our recovery and stabilisation efforts for communities affected by insurgency and economic disruption,” the governor said.
The State Emergency Management Agency said beneficiaries from Mallam Dunari would receive N200,000 each after completing business training tied to the programme.
In Gujba Local Government Area, the governor said the state has invested in agriculture and infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, water supply projects and solar-powered streetlights in Goniri community.
The Ministry of Women Affairs also empowered 340 women with equipment and materials to support small-scale pastry businesses. “To the beneficiaries, I urge you to make proper use of these resources,” Buni said.
The AGILE State Project Coordinator, Abdullahi Bula, said the cash transfers were targeted at 32,382 girls from economically disadvantaged households across the state.
