December 2025 – Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Sokoto

SBMC Chairman Urges Use of Daily Attendance as Criterion for Girls’ CCT Scholarship Selection

Achida, Wurno LGA Sokoto State

The State Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), Alhaji Muhammad Ajiyan Gobir, has called on the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project to adopt daily class attendance as a key criterion for selecting beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Girls’ Scholarship Programme.

Alhaji Gobir made the call during a one-day advocacy and stakeholders’ meeting on the Girls’ Scholarship Programme (Cohort 2), organized by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Sokoto State AGILE Project. The meeting was held in Achida, Wurno Local Government Area, and brought together stakeholders from the eight southern local government areas of Sokoto State.

He commended participants for their active engagement and expressed deep appreciation to the Sokoto State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA, for introducing what he described as a laudable and impactful project. He also praised the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, the State AGILE Coordinator, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari, and the entire AGILE project team for their dedication and outstanding performance.

In his remarks, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala assured stakeholders that all eligible candidates would be enrolled in the CCT Cohort 2 Programme. He was represented at the meeting by Abubakar Zaki, Deputy Director, Planning, Research, and Statistics, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

Earlier, the State AGILE Coordinator, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari, delivered a welcome address through his representative, Hafiz Ibrahim Dogon Daji, a Component Lead in the AGILE Project. He also presented key highlights of the CCT Second Cohort Programme.

During the presentation session, Abubakar Alkammu, Muhammad Umar Hamma Ali, and Hassan Balarabe spoke extensively on the importance of educating the girl child and the various support mechanisms provided to encourage school re-enrollment and retention. They emphasized that parents and guardians must ensure that the CCT funds are used strictly for the intended educational purposes.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks by the Education Secretary of Wurno Local Government Area, who thanked stakeholders for their commitment and urged sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.

Sokoto State Government Urges Parents to Prioritize Girls’ Education

Parents in Sokoto State have been urged to prioritize their daughters’ education and ensure consistent school attendance. The call was made by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, during a one-day advocacy meeting with stakeholders on the Girls Scholarship Program (Cohort 2).

The event was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.

Represented by the Director of Administration, Abubakar Umar Salame, Professor Ala reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector. He highlighted the substantial investments made under Governor Ahmad Aliyu, particularly in expanding educational infrastructure and enhancing learning environments across the state.

The Commissioner also commended AGILE for supporting the state’s drive to improve girls’ education through the construction of boreholes and classrooms in various local government areas. He noted that his ongoing monitoring and inspection visits have shown encouraging progress in teaching quality, school attendance, and overall learning outcomes.

Speaking at the event, the Sokoto State Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari, represented by the CCT Component Lead, Mamuda Galadima, said the workshop aimed to sensitize stakeholders on program activities and further promote girls’ education for a brighter and more inclusive future.

The workshop brought together principals, education secretaries, SBMC members, and other key stakeholders from across the state. Participants reviewed the successes and challenges of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program and expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that it had broadened their understanding of the scholarship program and its expected impact.

Delivering the closing remarks, the State President of ANCOPS, Muhammad Ikililu, thanked the state government, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmad Ladan Ala, the AGILE State Coordinator, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari, and the CCT Component Lead, Mamuda Galadima, for their dedication and remarkable contributions to improving girls’ education in Sokoto State.

The event reaffirmed Sokoto State’s commitment to fostering quality education, empowering girls, and building a stronger culture of learning across the state.