By Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has commended the state’s AGILE implementation team for its outstanding performance in delivering projects aimed at improving access to quality education for adolescent girls.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmed Ladan Ala, gave the commendation while declaring open a three-day Annual AGILE Project Review Workshop in Sokoto.
He praised the AGILE Team Lead, Dr. Mansur, and his team for their commitment and effective implementation of the project across the state.
“I want to commend the AGILE team, especially the Team Lead, Dr. Mansur, for his sterling leadership in implementing the AGILE project. I have personally visited rural communities to monitor the projects, and what I saw was impressive and highly commendable,” he said.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders to assess the implementation of AGILE activities over the past two years and develop strategies to further improve educational opportunities for girls aged 10 to 20.
The three-day event, held from July 15 to 17 at SOUL Care Garden Hotel, Sokoto, was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project is being implemented in 23 Nigerian states with support from the World Bank.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Sunusi Aliyu Binji, the commissioner also applauded Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising education through initiatives such as free school buses, funding for fuel, monthly running-cost allowances for school principals, and the provision of teaching and learning materials.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, describing his guidance and support as instrumental to the progress recorded in the state’s education sector.
According to him, the review meeting provides an opportunity to evaluate the project’s achievements, identify gaps, and strengthen implementation where necessary.
Speaking at the event, the Monitoring and Evaluation Component Lead for AGILE Sokoto, Muhammad Mainasara Usman, said the project has delivered significant infrastructure, including boreholes, toilet facilities, and the renovation of classrooms across schools in the state over the past two years.
He noted that the review would help identify challenges, assess progress, and develop practical solutions for improved implementation.
The AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Buhari, described the initiative as a people-centred programme that depends on stakeholder participation for its success.
He said the review meeting was designed to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure transparency and accountability in project implementation.
“The AGILE project belongs to the people. We want stakeholders to share their experiences, identify challenges, and offer suggestions so that implementation remains on track and responsive to community needs,” he said.
Other speakers at the workshop included Hajiya Rabi Gwadabawa, Director of Communication and Mobilisation at SUBEB, and Hajiya Aisha of the Sokoto State Teachers Service Board.
