By Segun Adewale, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has flagged off the disbursement of N13.5 billion under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project to further strengthen access to quality education and promote girl-child empowerment across the state.
Speaking during the official launch Wednesday, Governor Inuwa Yahaya explained that the N13.5 billion School Improvement Grant will be implemented through the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) of 442 secondary schools in Gombe State.
He noted that the funds are intended to enhance infrastructure, provide learning materials and improve the overall quality of teaching and learning in the benefiting schools.
The Governor disclosed that, earlier under the AGILE Project, his administration had already disbursed N726 million as conditional cash transfers and scholarship support to 12,101 students, mostly girls, to encourage school attendance and cushion the financial burden on families.
“This intervention is another major step in our mission to make education accessible and equitable for every child in Gombe State, especially our girls,” the Governor stated.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya warned that his administration would not tolerate any form of mismanagement or misuse of the AGILE funds, stressing that accountability remains central to his government’s operations.
“We will not condone any act of diversion or mismanagement. These funds represent the future of our children. We have shown, through decisive actions in the past, that anyone found wanting in the misuse of public resources will face consequences. The same standard applies here,” he warned.
Describing the initiative as part of his administration’s generational vision, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the government is not only meeting today’s needs but also laying a strong foundation for the future.
“Our vision for Gombe goes beyond settling past obligations. We are building a future anchored on education, opportunity, and prosperity where every child, regardless of gender or background, has the chance to learn, grow and succeed,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to responsible governance, fiscal discipline, and inclusive development, the Governor emphasized that education remains the cornerstone of his Government’s transformation agenda.
“Through projects like AGILE, our scholarship schemes, and continuous reforms, we are empowering our young people to shape a brighter and more productive future for our state,” Governor Inuwa Yahaya affirmed.
The AGILE Project, supported by the World Bank, is designed to enhance learning opportunities for adolescent girls and improve educational outcomes through community-led interventions,a goal the Gombe State Government continues to pursue with vision, discipline, and compassion.
