Zamfara Governor Launches ₦322 Million Education Grant and Community Empowerment Fund
GoldenNewsNg reports that the Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has inaugurated the disbursement of ₦322 million under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project. The funds are targeted at supporting 8,225 adolescent girls through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, to promote school enrollment and retention among vulnerable students across the state.
Each selected beneficiary will receive ₦40,000 in the initial phase, with additional payments of ₦10,000 each for the second and third school terms. This brings the total financial support per girl to ₦60,000, to be disbursed directly to parents or caregivers. The first batch of recipients has already been confirmed, with preparations underway for the next group.
Speaking at the launch event, Governor Lawal emphasized that the programme targets girls from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. He noted that the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to improving education access for children in underserved communities.
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In a related development, Governor Lawal also flagged off the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project. The CRF aims to support 500 individuals across Gusau, Bungudu, and Kaura Namoda local government areas by providing sustainable financial assistance to improve community resilience against climate challenges.
Governor Lawal stressed the importance of empowering local communities to lead their own development. According to him, the CRF provides a sustainable financial mechanism for small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and households facing economic barriers, giving them tools to build long-term resilience.
The ACReSAL initiative focuses on land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection, enabling rural communities to tackle land degradation and adapt to climate-related changes through grassroots solutions.
Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau, the Permanent Secretary for Multilateral and Donor Agencies, confirmed that all 8,225 adolescent girls were identified, registered, and verified from across the 14 local government areas of the state. She described the ₦40,000 grant as a timely intervention to remove financial barriers to education and improve long-term prospects for the beneficiaries.
She also announced that identification and ATM cards for the girls are ready for collection, ensuring secure and direct access to their funds. She explained that eligibility for continued support is tied to maintaining at least 70 percent school attendance, reinforcing discipline and accountability.
She encouraged all beneficiaries to use the financial support for educational and personal development purposes. In her remarks on the ACReSAL project, Hajiya Sa’adatu highlighted its role in promoting dry-season farming, adopting climate-smart techniques, improving water resource management, and boosting small-scale businesses.
She commended the Community Associations and Catchment Management Committees for their collaboration and active participation during the implementation phase.
The event was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, and key development stakeholders. The launch of both AGILE and ACReSAL underscores Zamfara State’s commitment to investing in human capital and strengthening community resilience.
