The Nigerian government is set to launch a new initiative called “LUMINA,” aimed at addressing the enrolment of out-of-school girls, especially in remote areas, and providing them with opportunities for skills acquisition. The initiative will also extend its focus to empowering the mothers of these girls, creating a comprehensive approach to family and community upliftment.
The announcement was made by Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, during the re-launch of the “Madubi” project, which operates under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). Ahmad highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure that every girl, regardless of her location, has access to education and vocational training, empowering them to reach their potential.
Ahmad stressed that collaboration among stakeholders is essential to overcoming the barriers that hinder girls’ education. She also emphasized that achieving greater enrolment, retention, and completion of girls’ education was central to realising the government’s objectives.
“LUMINA”, a project aimed at girls in hard-to-reach areas, will work to bridge the gap in education by providing not just formal education, but also vocational skills. The initiative will also benefit adolescent girls who have dropped out of school for various reasons, as well as their mothers.
Through the AGILE project, which has made notable strides in improving school infrastructure, providing cash transfers to families, and offering life skills training, the government aims to create opportunities for Nigerian and African girls to thrive despite challenges related to financial, sociocultural, and infrastructural constraints.
The re-launch of Madubi, which means “Mirror” in Hausa, symbolises reflection and transformation, challenging societal norms that hinder girls’ progress. The project has already achieved significant milestones, such as enabling the enrollment of 3.9 million girls in secondary schools and facilitating skills and digital literacy training for over 1 million girls. Additionally, it has constructed and renovated schools, WASH facilities, and teacher resources.
The National Project Coordinator of AGILE, Mrs. Amina Haruna, revealed that the programme will engage various communication channels, including Radio and TV dramas, to address social norms that restrict girls’ education. The World Bank, which has invested 1.2 billion USD in the initiative, also supports the project, which has not only benefitted girls but also 1.7 million boys through its infrastructure and human resource investments.
