By Hussaini Yero, Gusau The Zamfara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) has celebrated the 20...
By Hussaini Yero, Gusau
The Zamfara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) has celebrated the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, reaffirming its commitment to promoting girls’ education, empowerment and protection across the state.
The event was held on Thursday at Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Saminaka, Gusau, the state capital.
Speaking at the occasion, the State AGILE Coordinator, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu-Gusau, reiterated the project’s commitment to ensuring that adolescent girls have equitable access to educational opportunities and the support they need to learn, succeed and achieve their full potential.
“Today is more than a celebration; it is a call to action—a call to protect our girls, defend their rights, end forced marriage, and create opportunities for every girl to learn, grow and achieve her full potential,” she said.
Highlighting the achievements recorded by the project, Abdu-Gusau said AGILE had facilitated the renovation of 740 classrooms, constructed 147 boreholes and 975 toilets, and distributed 340,643 teaching and learning materials, alongside 12,206 furniture items.
She added that the project had disbursed 8,593 conditional cash transfers and supported 2,250 adolescent girls and young women through alternative education programmes.
According to her, efforts to expand access to secondary education are ongoing, with the construction of 21 senior secondary schools and 21 junior secondary schools under the AGILE project.
The coordinator further disclosed that 1,100 computers and 50 projectors had been distributed to 50 pilot schools, while 140 teachers had received digital literacy training.
She also said the project had trained and supported 11,114 adolescent girls with life skills materials to strengthen their knowledge, confidence and capacity to make informed decisions.
“Furthermore, 60 mentors and 396 guidance and counselling officers have received life skills training, while 20 vocational learning centres have been equipped,” she said.
On efforts to promote safe, inclusive and environmentally responsible learning environments, Abdu-Gusau disclosed that 167 eco-clubs had been established and 1,500 protective baskets distributed to promote cleaner and safer schools.
She added that the project had supported the state’s gender education policy and mobilised 7,817 community members to promote girls’ education.
The coordinator expressed appreciation to the Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, for his support, which she said had contributed significantly to the achievements recorded by the project.
She also acknowledged the contributions of implementing teams, school administrators, teachers, parents, traditional and religious leaders, media practitioners and community members towards advancing girls’ education in the state.
Abdu-Gusau urged adolescent girls to remain determined, attend school regularly, embrace life skills, speak out against threats to their safety and believe in their ability to shape a brighter future.
She also called on teachers and school administrators to provide safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments where every girl is treated with dignity, encouraged to excel and protected from abuse and discrimination.
The International Day of the Girl Child provides an opportunity to highlight the challenges facing girls and renew commitments to protecting their rights, expanding educational opportunities and promoting their empowerment.
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