Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has raised concerns over the growing number of out-of-school children, particularly adolescent girls, describing the situation as alarming.
Speaking in Ilorin on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the implementation of the NEEDS Assessment of Out-of-School Girls and Young Women in the state, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to address the issue and improve education quality.
The initiative is part of the Kwara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and was organized by Kwara AGILE in collaboration with ABYEM Helping Aid Foundation, a non-governmental organization. Represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hon. Lawal Olohungbebe, the governor acknowledged that the problem is more prevalent in northern Nigeria, with Kwara State also affected. He emphasized that tackling the issue requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.
To address this challenge, he highlighted the establishment of a sub-committee under the AGILE Project called “Second Chance,” which aims to provide alternative learning opportunities through non-formal education centers for children who have missed out on conventional schooling. One key aspect of the program is vocational training, which will equip adolescent girls and young women with marketable skills to enhance their financial independence and economic stability. He urged ABYEM Helping Aid Foundation to ensure an effective implementation process, recognizing the organization’s experience in similar initiatives.
Prince Abiodun Otepola, Chief Executive Officer of ABYEM Helping Aid Foundation, explained that the partnership targets girls between 15 and 25 years old, particularly street hawkers and school dropouts, to either reintegrate them into formal education or provide them with vocational skills. The foundation has finalized plans to empower 1,300 out-of-school girls across the state’s 16 local government areas, identifying 20 vocational centers for training.
Otepola stated that the program aims to provide these young women with a second chance, working alongside the state government and the World Bank to facilitate their return to school or prepare them for self-sufficiency through skill acquisition. He added that efforts are underway to create a comprehensive register under AGILE, which will track beneficiaries and ensure their empowerment after completing training.
Alhaji Ibrahim Oniye, Chairman of the Kwara State Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and First Makama of Ilorin, urged stakeholders, NGOs, and human rights activists to address the root causes of school dropouts to establish a sustainable solution. He also called for similar attention to be given to boys and young men who have dropped out of school, stressing that their situation is equally concerning.
