Katsina State in Northern Nigeria has seen major educational changes in recent years, largely due to the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project supported by the World Bank. Once challenged by deteriorating school buildings and poor teacher housing, the state’s schools are now witnessing steady progress. During a stakeholder consultation in November, a teacher recalled, “Fifteen years ago, our schools were in disarray. Infrastructure was terrible, and teachers’ homes were in poor condition.”
Katsina, long known as a historic centre of learning and culture since the 1400s, was one of the first states in Northern Nigeria to establish formal education, with its first middle school dating back to the early 1920s. But in later years, a decline in infrastructure and access slowed this progress. The AGILE project was introduced to bridge these gaps and revitalise learning.
The AGILE project, a $1.2 billion World Bank-assisted Investment Project Financing (IPF) initiative, aims to improve education and empower about 15 million girls and boys across Nigeria. Initially launched in seven states, it expanded in 2023 to 18 states, with a focus on regions experiencing high fertility rates, large numbers of out-of-school girls, and low transition rates to secondary education.
In Katsina, AGILE’s main goal is to ensure inclusive, safe, and equitable education for adolescents. The project has rehabilitated over 13,000 classrooms and built nearly 9,000 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, helping to create better learning conditions across the country. At Muhammadu Dodo Model Junior Secondary School, one of the new schools in the state, students now have access to clean water, solar energy, a library, science and computer labs, and other modern amenities.
AGILE is currently constructing 150 schools in Katsina, 75 of which are already in use. These schools are equipped with solar-powered water systems, energy-efficient classrooms, and digital monitoring tools such as teacher management systems. The project also promotes community-managed construction to reduce costs, improve local ownership, and strengthen resilience against insecurity and climate change.
Beyond building schools, AGILE focuses on empowering adolescent girls through scholarships, life skills, and digital literacy programmes. Over 200,000 girls have been trained in reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and self-confidence. Additionally, digital literacy lessons have reached about 225,000 students, preparing them for opportunities in the digital economy.
To address gender-related challenges, AGILE includes mechanisms to combat gender-based violence, create safer schools, and establish grievance redress systems. Conditional cash transfers and scholarships have further increased school attendance and retention rates, especially among girls who face economic challenges.
The programme’s success can be seen in the story of Maryam Ma’aruf, a 2024 graduate of Government Girls College Katsina. “Thanks to AGILE for digital and life skills training, I graduated school, and I am now a graphic designer and a public speaker,” Maryam said during the stakeholder consultation. Her story reflects how educational access and training can open pathways for young women to achieve independence and make positive contributions to their communities.
AGILE’s impact in Katsina is not just about physical infrastructure; it represents a cultural shift. The initiative encourages leadership, creativity, and self-reliance among students. Climate action clubs established in several schools have also become a platform for environmental awareness, where students engage in activities like fish farming and tree planting.
Despite these successes, stakeholders continue to highlight key challenges. They point to the need for more motivated teachers, better-equipped libraries, and stronger laboratory facilities. These improvements are seen as crucial to ensure quality learning outcomes and prepare students for global competitiveness.
Still, the achievements recorded under AGILE mark significant progress. By combining modern infrastructure, community engagement, and practical training, the project is helping to reshape the educational system in Katsina. The World Bank’s investment is strengthening the foundation for inclusive education in Nigeria, showing that targeted support and effective partnerships can drive sustainable development.
The project’s ongoing efforts underline the importance of aligning education with empowerment, ensuring that young Nigerians—especially girls—are given the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s world. AGILE continues to stand as an example of how international collaboration and local participation can transform education, uplift communities, and secure a better future for millions across Nigeria.
