AGILE programme begins
•Kaduna, Borno shine at AGILE Games Awards
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu yesterday appealed to Nigerians to unite in the fight against bullying.
In a message to mark the Children’s Day, the First Lady called on citizens to play an active role in creating safe spaces for children.
“As a mother, I call on all Nigerians to take an active stand against bullying. Let us teach our children that strength lies in compassion, and that true leadership begins with looking out for one another”, she said.
This year’s Children’s Day is themed: “Stand Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” a message the First Lady described as timely and vital.
“This theme speaks to our shared responsibility to protect and empower the young hearts and minds who represent the promise of Nigeria’s future,” she noted.
Senator Tinubu emphasized the lasting harm that bullying inflicts on children, whether it happens in schools, communities, or online.
“Bullying leaves lasting wounds that hinder a child’s emotional, social, and academic development,” she warned.
The First Lady stressed that every child in Nigeria has a right to grow up in an environment that is “safe, supportive, and free from fear.”
This, she said, is a duty not just for government, but for parents, teachers, and communities alike.
The First Lady’s statement aligns with the broader national message delivered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who earlier in the day launched a community-based child safety campaign titled: “See Something, Say Something, Do Something.”
Concluding her message with a note of encouragement, Mrs Tinubu extended heartfelt wishes to Nigerian children across the country.
“Happy Children’s Day. I extend my warmest wishes and love to every child across our great nation”, she said.
The First Lady has been a vocal advocate for children’s welfare, education, and health, often championing maternal and child care programmes and lending her platform to the fight against abuse and neglect.
Her 2025 Children’s Day message is the latest in a series of public interventions aimed at fostering a more compassionate and protective society for the next generation.
Also yesterday, the First Lady launched a new phase of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme.
The programme signals a renewed commitment to girls’ education across the country.
The launch coincided with the Children’s Day celebrations at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where children, dignitaries, and education stakeholders gathered to mark the occasion.
The AGILE Additional Financing to States is a major boost to the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle the crisis of out-of-school children and improve access to education, particularly for adolescent girls.
The event also featured the maiden AGILE Games Award, which recognised exceptional talents in sports, arts, and academics.
Describing children as “the heartbeat of the nation,” the First Lady encouraged young learners to continue striving for excellence.
“Keep learning, keep creating, and know that your potential to make a real difference in Nigeria is limitless,” she said in her address.
Congratulating all participants, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the inclusive spirit of the initiative.
“Whether or not you receive an award today, you are all champions,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to governors, traditional rulers, and religious leaders for their roles in promoting girls’ education and urged continued collaboration toward a shared national goal.
Mrs. Tinubu also outlined upcoming programmes under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), including the creation of Environment Clubs in secondary schools and Environment Societies in tertiary institutions, alongside a new sanitary pad distribution scheme, Flow with Confidence, aimed at supporting girls in rural areas.
“Stay in school, excel in your studies, and believe in your ability to achieve great things,” she advised the students in attendance.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, hailed the AGILE expansion as a milestone in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that education is not only a fundamental right but also a national security priority.
“Every textbook is a building block for peace, every school meal an act of justice, and every trained teacher a guardian of our shared future,” he said.
Alausa detailed the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate education reform.
Within 11 months, he said, the ministry has shifted from planning to action, with initiatives such as the N2 billion School Improvement Programme across all states, N20 billion allocated to teachers’ training, and over 100,000 school-based management committees empowered to oversee local governance.
More than 250,000 teachers have received training in digital skills and inclusive pedagogy. Infrastructure-wise, over 3,000 classrooms have been built or renovated, and more than 5 million instructional materials have been distributed nationwide.
Alausa also highlighted the recently launched ₦800 billion Hope Basic Education Reform project, which introduces a performance-based funding model to strengthen learning outcomes and reduce disparities in access and quality.
World Bank Country Director, Taimur Samad, reaffirmed the institution’s support for AGILE, calling it the World Bank’s second-largest investment in Nigeria.
“With two-thirds of girls dropping out before completing school, we aim to change that narrative. Our goal is to support up to 50 million students,” he said.
Representing the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described AGILE as a watershed moment for education.
He noted that the programme’s combined investment of $1.2 billion—$500 million in original funding and an additional $700 million—makes it one of the largest educational commitments in the country’s history.
“Already, over 8.6 million girls across 18 states are benefitting, along with 25 million others including teachers and community members,” Zulum said.
He projected a 3.5-fold increase in girls’ enrollment and a national improvement in school completion rates from 42% to 52%.
While celebrating progress, he acknowledged the continuing challenge of educating Nigeria’s estimated 10 million out-of-school girls.
“This situation is unacceptable. We must do more to change it,” he stated.
Zulum outlined the NGF’s interventions, including prioritising girl-child education, expanding gender-sensitive infrastructure, and supporting data-driven strategies to address disparities.
He cited the example of Borno State, which has built 104 schools and rehabilitated nearly 3,000 under AGILE.
“No child should be forced to choose between safety and schooling. When we empower girls, we empower the nation”, he declared.
The Governor of Taraba State also expressed his administration’s commitment to improving girls’ education and pledged more active participation in future AGILE programmes.
A highlight of the Children’s Day celebrations was the AGILE Games Awards, which showcased the talents of Nigerian youth in sports, arts, and academics.
Held at the State House, the event underscored the AGILE initiative’s broader impact beyond classrooms.
In sports, Kaduna State girls’ basketball team and Kano’s boys’ basketball team claimed top honours, while Borno State dominated volleyball with both its girls’ and boys’ teams winning gold.
Creative expression also took centre stage. Ekiti State’s Deborah Bello won best essay, Michael Destiny from Kaduna got the award for poetry. Borno’s Maryann Mamman earned accolades for her short story.
In the visual arts category, Zuhair Umar of Kaduna impressed judges with her painting, while Kano’s Fatima Nurudeen was honoured for innovation, literacy, and leadership.
Kaduna State also took home the Spelling Bee title through Blessing Temilade Ade and the debate competition via a team of Success, Elimimian, and Favour.
The environmental and entrepreneurship prize went to a Katsina State trio—Amina, Albaba Khadija, and Mukhtar Hassan.
A particularly emotional moment came when Awelewa Eniola, a physically challenged student, presented his artwork to the First Lady, drawing applause and admiration from the audience.
