Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government has authorized a new N535/6 billion ($700 million) loan from the World Bank. Read more...
This was disclosed in a statement published on the World Bank website on Friday, September 22, 2023.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, a project that is currently in progress, will utilise the additional cash from the new loan.
The World Bank granted an additional $700 million in financing for Nigeria to expand the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment program, with the goal of improving secondary school options for girls in specified areas, according to the announcement.
"With the new money, project activities will be distributed throughout eleven more states in addition to the current seven, and their intended beneficiaries will be broadened to include out-of-school females, married individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Between 12 and 15 million school-age children in Nigeria were reported to not be registered in classes, with the majority living in the north.
It was also highlighted that in 2020–2021, greater insecurity close to schools had an effect on an average of a million children.
In the seven states that are implementing the AGILE programme—Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau—the number of girls enrolled in secondary schools has climbed from around 900,000 to over 1.6 million, according to the statement's further figures.
The program has resulted in the renovation of more than 5,000 classrooms and the awarding of scholarships to more than 250,000 eligible girls.
"The AGILE program has supported the construction and refurbishment of WASH facilities in secondary schools, as well as the installation of laptops and solar panels, which improve the comfort and conduciveness of attending school for both girls and boys. The program's other essential components that address social norms that prevent girls from pursuing higher education are advocacy, system strengthening, and the development of life skills.
The closure of gender inequalities in economic empowerment through ensuring girls have access to education and skills is essential for Nigeria's growth and economic prosperity, according to Shubham Chaudhuri, the World Bank's country director for Nigeria.
"Investing in adolescent girls is crucial when addressing overall economic prospects and growth because Nigeria's working population will soon be among the youngest and largest in the world.
In addition to the girls, the statement claimed that the money would also assist over 15 million students and beneficiaries, as well as instructors, administrators, families, communities, and staff in both old and new institutions.
The additional cash, it was said, would help improve the education and health of girls in Nigeria by extending the project to 18 states.
Parents and guardians in six states gave N10,000 per term as incentives to school attendance to almost 300,000 low-income female pupils.
The six states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Plateau received financing from the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Programme.
The N10,000 each term was granted to the parents of low-income female students, according to the World Bank, in order to promote attendance and re-enrollment.
Also disclosed was the fact that each girl's parents earned N5,000 for signing her up for the scheme.
It was also mentioned that this was the third lending facility to be authorized during Bola Tinubu's president.
On June 9, 2023, clearance was given for the first loan, a $750 million loan to boost Nigeria's electricity sector.
On June 22, 2023, a second loan for $500 million was authorized. It will aid Nigeria's efforts to boost women's empowerment.
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