Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has officially launched the disbursement of ₦322 million to support 8,225 adolescent girls under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project. The funds, released through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, target vulnerable students across the state.
During the launch event, Governor Lawal stated that this initiative is designed to help girls from low-income families continue their education.
“The girls were selected from the poorest and most vulnerable households,” he explained. According to him, each beneficiary will receive ₦40,000 in the first round to support school enrollment and retention.
“Additional tranches of ₦10,000 each for the second and third school terms will bring the total support to ₦60,000 per person through the parents or the caregivers,” he said.
The ₦322 million covers only the first batch, with arrangements underway for the second group of recipients.
Governor Lawal also flagged off the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.
This initiative will provide financial support to 500 beneficiaries in Gusau, Bungudu, and Kaura Namoda local government areas.
He emphasized that the CRF is a sustainable approach aimed at strengthening community resilience against climate change.
“Our communities face hardships and challenges such as women striving to grow their small businesses, youths yearning for opportunities, and rural households struggling to access basic services,” the governor noted.
“With the Community Revolving Fund, we are introducing a sustainable mechanism that empowers these communities to access funds and take ownership of their development journey,” he added.
The ACReSAL project focuses on land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection. It aims to empower local communities to combat land degradation and adapt to climate-induced changes using grassroots-driven solutions.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary for Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau, shared that all 8,225 girls were identified, registered, and verified from all 14 local government areas in the state.
She stated, “The ₦40,000 is a timely intervention to address key financial barriers to education and improve the girls’ long-term prospects.”
She also confirmed that all identification and ATM cards for the beneficiaries are ready for collection. “This will ensure that each beneficiary can access their funds directly and safely,” she said.
According to Hajiya Sa’adatu, the CCT initiative is a vital step in breaking the cycle of poverty. She noted that beneficiaries must maintain at least 70 percent school attendance to remain eligible, emphasizing that the programme promotes discipline and responsibility.
“It is also a shared responsibility, as beneficiaries must maintain at least 70% school attendance to remain eligible—reinforcing the importance of punctuality, discipline, and commitment,” she explained.
She called on beneficiaries to use the support responsibly and for its intended purpose. “This opportunity should be used to invest in education and personal development,” she urged.
Commenting on the ACReSAL project, Hajiya Sa’adatu described it as a critical step in tackling climate-related challenges in Zamfara. “The CRF will empower local communities to engage in dry-season farming, adopt climate-smart technologies, improve water resource management, and strengthen small enterprises,” she said.
She commended the Community Associations and Catchment Management Committees for their dedication and cooperation during the project’s rollout. “I commend the Community Associations and Catchment Management Committees for their dedication and ownership throughout this process,” she concluded.
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Zamfara State Government and its partners for their support.
The event was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, and development stakeholders. The dual launch of AGILE and ACReSAL highlights a significant investment in both education and climate resilience in the state.