The World Bank has announced a commitment of $1.2 billion to support girls’ education across 18 states in Nigeria.
The beneficiary states include Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Friday during the relaunch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme.
The World Bank Country Director, Mr Ndiame Diop, represented by Tina George, the Bank’s Senior Social Protection Specialist, explained that the initiative aims to improve secondary school education and create opportunities for young girls.
According to Diop, AGILE is a major investment in Nigeria’s future. It focuses on education and empowerment, giving young girls the chance to gain knowledge and skills that will help them and their communities. He stressed that educating girls benefits entire communities, as they play key roles in shaping society.
“AGILE is a transformative initiative that holds the potential to reshape the future of Nigeria. AGILE is a 1.2 billion U.S. dollar investment in human development as a multi-sectoral programme that is implemented at the federal and state levels.

“It is to provide comprehensive support to increase adolescent girls’ secondary educational attainment and empowerment,” he said.
“An educated girl is truly a mirror, a mother of her community. When a girl is educated and empowered, she is a reflection of the community around her,” he added.
The programme is expected to reach over 25 million people, targeting 15.2 million students, including 8.6 million adolescent girls, both married and unmarried, as well as those with disabilities.
Beyond supporting girls, it also aims to uplift their communities by encouraging a shift in attitudes towards education.
Since its launch, AGILE has built 104 new secondary schools and renovated 3,922 existing ones, benefiting both boys and girls. So far, over 2 million girls and 1.7 million boys have directly gained from the initiative.
Diop called on government bodies, religious and community leaders, schools, and civil society groups to work together in removing barriers that prevent girls from accessing education. He also assured that the World Bank would continue to support efforts that promote education in Nigeria.