The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) has commenced the disbursement of conditional cash transfers to 12,133 girls in Bauchi State as part of efforts to improve school enrolment and retention.
The State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Hajiya Ladi Muhammad Hamma, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists in Bauchi, confirming that beneficiaries have started receiving payments under the scheme.
She explained that each enrolled girl is entitled to a total support package of N60,000. According to her, N40,000 has already been released to the first batch of beneficiaries. “Out of the N60,000 package, N15,000 is paid as registration support, while N25,000 covers transition costs for the first term,” Hamma said.
She added that subsequent payments of N10,000 each would be made based on at least 70 per cent school attendance. “This condition is designed to ensure sustained participation in education,” she stated.
Hamma noted that the funds have been credited directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, while ATM cards are currently being distributed to enable easy access to the grants.
Beyond the financial support, AGILE is also focusing on infrastructure development. She revealed that plans are underway to construct new schools across the state’s 20 local government areas, subject to the World Bank’s approval of prototype designs.
In addition, she said 1,203 secondary schools have been earmarked for renovation through School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to create safer and more conducive learning environments.
The coordinator called on parents and guardians to provide National Identification Numbers (NINs), birth certificates and relevant bank details to ease enrolment and ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
She also announced that 156 Technical Service Providers would undergo training on environmental and social safeguards ahead of the renovation works, with field activities expected to begin immediately after the exercise.
The AGILE intervention targets reducing out-of-school rates among girls while addressing barriers such as poverty and early marriage.
