Adolescent girls’ education has received a major boost as the Zamfara State Government disbursed conditional cash transfers to 8,225 adolescent girls across all 14 local government areas of the state.
The programme, launched by the state Governor, Dauda Lawal on Wednesday in Gusau, is part of the World Bank-supported AGILE (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment) and ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes) projects.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the selected girls were drawn from the poorest and most vulnerable households, where each beneficiary will receive ₦60,000 per academic session, starting with an initial ₦40,000, followed by two additional tranches of ₦10,000 each during the school year.
It said the first batch of support, totaling ₦322 million, has been approved, while arrangements for the second phase are underway.
According to the statement, Governor Lawal, while speaking at the event held at Garba Nadama Hall, J.B. Yakubu State Secretariat, said the initiative underscores his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, education, and social protection.
The governor noted that empowering girls through education is key to long-term development, adding that educated girls grow into empowered women, who uplift their families, strengthen communities, and drive progress in the state.
Governor Lawal also announced the disbursement of Community Revolving Funds to 500 beneficiaries in Gusau, Bungudu, and Kaura Namoda under the ACReSAL project, aimed at supporting environmental and economic resilience at the grassroots.
He said the revolving fund would continue to circulate within the communities to support small businesses, youths, and rural households, especially in areas affected by land degradation and climate challenges, urging beneficiaries to use resources wisely and transparently, ensuring trust results in visible, measurable outcomes.
The governor commended the efforts of the state’s ministries of education and environment, along with technical partners, for implementing the projects.
He assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise impactful programmes that deliver results, particularly in rural communities.