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The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has commenced a three-day capacity building training on Data Management and Reporting for Zonal Education Quality Assurance Officers and Education Management Information System (EMIS) Officers from Sokoto State. The training is taking place in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Declaring the training open, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Sokoto State, Professor A. L. Ala, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Chika Murtala, commended the participants for their commitment to improving data quality and management in the education sector.

He urged the officers to pay close attention throughout the training, stressing that Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers play a vital role in shaping government policies and budgets through reliable data and reporting.

It is through M&E reports that government plans its annual budget and implements development programmes. “Therefore, much is expected from you to help move the education sector forward in Sokoto State,” Professor Ala stated, before formally declaring the training open.

In his welcome address, the AGILE Project Component Lead (M&E 3.2), Muhammad Mainasara Usman, welcomed all participants and guests and highlighted the objectives of the training, emphasizing its importance in strengthening data-driven decision-making within the education system.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Executive Director, Nomadic Education Board, Tambari Dikko Goshe; Hajiya Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa from SUBEB; the Communication Officer, AGILE Project, Sokoto State; Zonal Director, Sokoto South, Abubakar Ibrahim; and Head of EMIS, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Hafiz Ibrahim Dogon Daji.
All speakers underscored the importance of Monitoring and Evaluation in improving educational outcomes and wished participants success during the training.

In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator, AGILE Project, Sokoto State, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari, appreciated the participants for attending the training and reiterated the Project’s commitment to advancing education, particularly girls’ education, in the state.
It is only through effective data management and reporting that the AGILE Project can identify areas requiring intervention and provide targeted support to improve education in Sokoto State,” Dr. Buhari stated.

The three-day training is aimed at strengthening the capacity of officers in data management, analysis, and reporting to enhance evidence-based planning and policy implementation in the education sector.

The ministry of Basic and Secondary Education sokoto State wishes to inform the general public, especially parents and guardians of female students across secondary schools in the state, that following the official launch of the AGILE support program by the First Lady of Sokoto State, Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Ahmad Aliyu, funds have been successfully disbursed to beneficiaries through ATM cards distributed in schools.

However, the Ministry has received disturbing reports that some school principals and teachers have unlawfully collected ATM cards from students and are allegedly withdrawing part of the funds for personal use. This is a serious breach of trust and a clear act of exploitation, which the government strongly condemns and will not tolerate.

The Ministry hereby states the following:

1. ATM cards belong solely to the students. No school authority or staff member has the right to collect or withhold a student’s card under any circumstance.
2. Parents are strongly advised to ensure that their daughters have full possession and control of their ATM cards.
3. Any principal, teacher, or staff member found guilty of this act will face immediate administrative action.
4. Concerned parents or students who experience or witness such acts should report immediately by calling the following number: 08036074739.
5. The Ministry will follow up all credible reports and ensure full accountability and justice.

This warning serves as a strong reminder to all school authorities that the AGILE fund is a State intervention meant to empower female students and improve access to education not an opportunity for exploitation.

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of students’ rights across all schools in the state.

Signed,
Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala
Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education
Sokoto State

The Sokoto State Government has officially launched a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program targeting 41,825 adolescent girls across all 23 local government areas, under the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE).

The flag-off ceremony took place at the Government House in Sokoto and was presided over by Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, the wife of the Sokoto State Governor. In her remarks, the First Lady commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his unwavering commitment to girl-child education and expressed appreciation to AGILE and other development partners for their continued support.

Launched in August 2024, AGILE is a transformative education intervention aimed at increasing school enrollment, retention, and completion among girls. The initiative provides targeted financial support to vulnerable households, alongside investments in critical school infrastructure and learning environments.

Each of the 41,825 beneficiaries will receive ₦40,000 per academic term, as long as the project continues, to support their education and reduce the economic barriers to schooling. The girls, in their testimonies, expressed gratitude and pledged to use the funds responsibly to further their education.

Since its inception, the AGILE program has recorded tremendous success, with over 200,000 girls targeted to benefit in Sokoto State alone before the project’s conclusion.

The Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, was represented at the ceremony by the Director of Administration, Abubakar Umar Salame, who delivered the commissioner’s remarks. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the AGILE project and emphasized the importance of sustaining girls’ access to quality education.

Also present at the event were the representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Aminu Bala (Dan Iyan Sakkwato), and the AGILE National Coordinator, Hajia Amina Buba Haruna, who all praised the Sokoto State Government for its commitment to girls’ education. They noted that the state’s remarkable implementation has exceeded expectations, especially as it was not among the initial 18 states captured in the AGILE initiative.

Following the flag-off, the AGILE National Coordinator paid a courtesy visit to the wife of the Governor at her residence. She also held a brief meeting with all component leads at the AGILE State Office, where she commended the team for the successful launch and reaffirmed the continued support of the National Office.

The Sokoto AGILE Team is delighted to announce the official Flag-Off Ceremony of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme, scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025
Venue: Government House, Sokoto
Time: 10:00 AM (Guests are kindly requested to be seated by 9:30 AM)

This historic event will be presided over by Her Excellency, the Wife of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State. It marks the official commencement of direct cash transfers to 41,825 beneficiaries across all 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Conditional Cash Transfer is a vital component of the AGILE initiative, designed to support vulnerable households and promote girls’ education through targeted interventions.

The Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmad Aliyu, has donated 3 utility vans to the Sokoto State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (SOKOTO AGILE) project in a bid to strengthen its monitoring and supervision of the construction of new schools and the ongoing school renovation works across the state. The gesture is aimed at improving the efficiency of the project team in reaching schools in both urban and rural communities.

Presenting the vehicle, the Governor, throughthe Secretary to the State Government, Alhaii Bello Sifawa, said the donation reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the AGILE project achieves its goal of expanding access to quality education, especially for adolescent girls. He explained that with several schools currently undergoing renovation under the initiative, the provision of a dedicated van would enable field officers to carry out regular inspections and provide timely reports.

The Governor further noted that education remains a top priority in his administration, stressing that investing in infrastructure, supervision, and empowerment initiatives will go a long way in addressing the challenges facing secondary education in Sokoto State. He assured that the state government would continue to support AGILE to improve enrollment as well as teaching and learning outcomes.

Speaking on behalf of the AGILE project team, the State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ala, commended the Governor for the support, describing the donation as timely. He said the vans would ease mobility challenges and enhance project monitoring, ensuring that schools under renovation meet the required standards and are delivered within schedule.

The three vans will be utilised by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), State Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education as well as the state Ministry for Science and Technology.

Community leaders and education stakeholders also lauded the intervention, saying it would accelerate the transformation of learning environments across Sokoto. They expressed optimism that with strengthened supervision, the AGILE project will have lasting impact in improving enrollment, retention, and overall educational opportunities for girls in the state.

Training on Conditional Cash Transfer(CCT) Cards Distribution Tracking

Traditional leaders in Sokoto State have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning Empowerment (AGILE) School facilities

The program aims to protect schools from vandalism, drugs, and other criminal activities.

Ciroman Sokoto Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar III and Sarkin Bauran Dange Alhaji Bello Usman, District Heads of Sokoto, made this commitment during a visit from Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari, state Coordinator of AGILE.

They pledged their unwavering support for the program and urged their subjects to protect AGILE facilities in secondary schools across the state.

The AGILE project seeks to enhance girl-child education and reduce street wandering among pupils by combining learning with vocational skills.

Abubakar III emphasized the importance of empowering women and orphans through skill acquisition programs.

He noted that Sokoto metropolis has only one women’s education centre and advocated for at least one vocational acquisition centre in each ward.

Abubakar III suggested providing graduates with start-up packs and renting business shops to prevent them from selling handmade items.

DDrKabiru Aliyu, representing DDrBuhari, announced plans to establish additional women’s education centres to supplement the AGILE program.

The AGILE project provides basic education, literacy, and income generation skills training to boost female participation in education.

One of its components is Water and Sanitation (WASH), which includes constructing toilets and providing boreholes for water and sanitation in beneficiary schools.

Ten secondary schools in the Dange/Shuni local government area will benefit from the AGILE project’s WASH component.

These schools include Command Secondary School, Government Girls Science Secondary School, Government Day Secondary School in Gidan Gara, and Government Day Secondary School in Fajallu.

Traditional leaders in Sokoto State have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting vocational skills in schools, aiming to enhance girlchild education and reduce street wandering among pupils.

They also pledged their unwavering support for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program, which seeks to safeguard schools from vandalism, drugs, and other criminal activities.

The District Heads of Sokoto, Ciroman Sokoto Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar III and Sarkin Bauran Dange Alhaji Bello Usman, made this commitment when they received the state Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari, on an advocacy visit to their palaces.

Sokoto State Governor Flags Off AGILE Project, Unveils Logo, and Launches Key Initiatives

Sokoto State, Monday, January 27, 2025 – His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA, today officially flagged off the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in the state. The ceremony marked the unveiling of the AGILE logo and the launch of several impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing education in Sokoto State.

As part of the event, the Governor inaugurated a conditional cash transfer program to support various schools in the state. Additionally, he announced a cash allocation of ₦200,000 to the principals of all secondary schools in Sokoto State to bolster educational development and improve school infrastructure.

In his welcome address, the Honorable Commissioner of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Professor A. L. Ala, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering commitment to improving education in the state. He emphasized the significance of the AGILE project in empowering adolescent girls and fostering educational advancement.

This initiative underscores the Sokoto State Government’s dedication to ensuring inclusive and quality education, particularly for young girls, and creating a sustainable future for all.

The Sokoto Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project is calling for deeper collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation to further its impact in Sokoto State.

The appeal was made during a recent visit to the Ministry by Mansur Isa Buhari, the Project Coordinator, who emphasized the Ministry’s vital role in the project’s success, particularly in spreading information to the public.

“We believe that effective communication is key to the success of our project,” Buhari said. “The Ministry of Information is our most strategic partner in ensuring that the people of Sokoto are informed and engaged in the important educational initiatives we are working on.”

Launched in August 2023, the AGILE project aims to empower women and girls, with a special focus on education and skills development. In its first six months, the project has made significant strides in improving the lives of women and girls, but Buhari acknowledged that more work is needed as the project enters its second year.

During his visit to the Ministry, Buhari expressed gratitude for the support received so far, especially from the media professionals who have helped raise awareness about the initiative. He also called for even greater collaboration in 2025, urging the Ministry to incorporate communication and media-related activities into the project’s work plan. Specifically, Buhari highlighted the need for training local journalists and media personnel to report on girls’ education and related issues.

“We are hopeful that in the coming year, we can work together to build the capacity of our media professionals to report on the challenges and opportunities in girls’ education,” Buhari said. “This will ensure that the critical issues affecting our communities are communicated clearly and effectively.”

The AGILE project is a five-year initiative aimed at creating sustainable educational and empowerment opportunities for women and girls in Sokoto State. With the continued support of the Ministry of Information, Buhari is confident the project will thrive and leave a lasting impact on the local community.

In response, the Honorable Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi expressed full support for the initiative. He warmly welcomed Buhari and his team, acknowledging the significant work the AGILE project has accomplished. He also highlighted the project’s radio program on Vision FM, which addresses key issues, such as providing sanitation facilities for girls.

“I have been following your activities closely, and I am particularly impressed by the positive changes your project has brought to the state,” the Commissioner said. “We are 100% committed to assisting you and will work with you to ensure that the project reaches its full potential.”

Additionally, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ibrahim Muhammad K, reaffirmed the Ministry’s support, emphasizing the importance of reshaping public perception through information dissemination. He assured the AGILE team that the Ministry’s state-owned media platform would be fully available to help amplify the project’s messages.

“The best thing we can do is change the narrative and mindset,” Ibrahim Muhammad K said. “We will ensure the largest platform is made available to you, particularly through radio, so your messages reach every corner of the state.”