Over 235,000 Adolescent Girls to Smile from Conditional Cash Transfer

Over two hundred and thirty-five thousand Adolescent Girls in Nasarawa State are to Benefit from Conditional Cash Transfer Program.

The State Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu Isoga disclosed this during a sensitization meeting focused on the girls’ scholarship program with various stakeholders.

The girls’ scholarship program brought together participants, including traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, women’s groups, students, media representatives, security agencies, faith-based organizations, and advocates for persons with disabilities to promote girls’ education and reduce the dropout rate in the state.

In an address, the State Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu Isoga said the project is designed to empower young girls through education by providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities to thrive in their lives.

She added that the program goes beyond financial assistance; it aims to help girls overcome social, economic, and cultural barriers that often lead to school dropout.

Reiterating the state government’s commitment to improving the education sector, Isoga expressed optimism that with collaboration and support from key stakeholders, significant strides would be made in reducing the school dropout rate in Nasarawa State.

Representatives of traditional rulers welcomed the initiative, noting that it will help address financial barriers that hinder the enrollment of girls in schools and pledged their support to ensure the success of the project.

A facilitator with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Ramatu Umar, spoke on the importance of girls’ education and the challenges faced by adolescent girls’ affirming that educating girls is crucial for achieving gender equality and urged governments, communities, and organizations to create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that encourage girls to stay in school.

Speaking on the benefits and implementation of the AGILE Project Mr. Ubimi Andrew, noted that the sub-component 2.3 Conditional Cash Transfer program will be piloted in seven local government areas and will operate on a performance basis to address financial that is hindering girls from start of school to finishing.