The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Niger State has commenced the second cohort of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, targeting 15,156 schoolgirls selected from schools statewide.
A total of ₦606,240,000 has been earmarked for the intervention. Dividing the amount equally among the beneficiaries gives each girl ₦40,000 in education support.
The funds are being deposited into special bank accounts opened for the beneficiaries. The students are also receiving ATM cards in the presence of their parents or guardians, a process designed to promote transparency and accountability.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the State Project Coordinator, Hajiya Maimuna Ibrahim Tahir, urged the beneficiaries to take their education seriously and use the support responsibly.
She also encouraged the girls to persuade out-of-school peers to return to classrooms and benefit from the AGILE initiative. She said preparations for the third cohort were already underway, with the next phase expected to reach more girls across the state.
The CCT programme is designed to reduce financial barriers that prevent girls from attending school. It supports enrolment, improves retention and encourages students to complete basic and secondary education.
How to benefit
The second cohort targets 15,156 schoolgirls selected from participating schools in Niger State. The programme is not an open application for the general public. Beneficiaries should follow instructions from their schools and officials, while parents or guardians should assist them with the bank account and ATM card arrangements.