Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens, particularly women and girls through targeted education and empowerment initiatives. This was emphasized during the official flag-off ceremony of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme under the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, held at the Government House, Lokoja.
Describing the AGILE project as a transformative programme, Governor Ododo said it reflects the state’s determination to ensure that every child, especially the girl-child has access to safe, inclusive, and quality education. “An educated girl is not just an empowered individual, but a catalyst for national progress,” the Governor said.
He explained that the CCT scheme is designed not just as financial assistance, but as a strategic investment in human capital development. The initiative aims to increase school enrollment, retention, and transition rates among adolescent girls across Kogi State.
According to the Governor, 13,359 adolescent girls in transition classes across the 21 local government areas will each receive a cash grant of ₦40,000. This, he said, is intended to remove financial obstacles that hinder girls from staying in school and to foster long-term social and economic development.
Governor Ododo also acknowledged the role of former Governor Yahaya Bello in securing Kogi’s inclusion in the AGILE project. He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the grants wisely and responsibly, reiterating that empowering girls equates to strengthening families, communities, and the nation.
The State Commissioner for Education and Chairman of the AGILE Project Steering Committee, Wemi Jones, praised the Governor’s leadership and noted that it has attracted development-driven initiatives such as AGILE to the state. He advised girls to maintain regular school attendance and urged parents to actively support their daughters’ education.
Speaking on the scope of the project, AGILE State Project Coordinator, Ahmed Tijani Oricha, said the programme is structured to eliminate both financial and cultural barriers preventing girls from completing their education. He added that the second phase of the CCT rollout is ongoing, with eligibility tied to a minimum school attendance rate of 75 per cent.
In his goodwill message, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, assured the state of the continued support of traditional rulers for the girl-child education agenda. He described girls as the “future of the nation,” urging all stakeholders to sustain efforts in their empowerment.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Zahara Salawudeen of the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (MARKAZ), expressed gratitude on behalf of the over 30,000 beneficiaries in the state. She praised the administration’s support for free education and acknowledged the state’s counterpart funding as a testament to Governor Ododo’s dedication to securing a brighter future for girls.
With its focus on removing financial hurdles and fostering school completion, the AGILE-CCT scheme stands as a key pillar in the Ododo administration’s broader vision for inclusive governance and social development in Kogi State.