KADBEAM, AGILE Move to Secure Lasting Gains for Girls’ Education in Kaduna
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project have initiated talks on a strategic partnership to safeguard the long-term impact of girls’ education interventions in Kaduna State.
The discussions took place during a courtesy visit by KADBEAM to the AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), where the delegation was received by Abdulhalim Ladan, the newly appointed AGILE Project Coordinator.
With the World Bank-supported AGILE Project entering its final implementation phase, both organisations agreed that sustaining its achievements will require stronger community ownership, effective accountability systems and continued advocacy for girls’ education.
KADBEAM showcased its track record in education accountability, citizen engagement, budget tracking and independent monitoring, drawing on its experience with major education programmes such as PERL, PLANE and the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) Project.
The meeting also explored strategies to tackle harmful social norms, including early marriage and gender stereotypes that continue to keep many girls out of school. KADBEAM proposed leveraging community dialogues, traditional and religious leaders, and its Beta Nigeria Campaign platform to drive behaviour change and strengthen public support for girls’ education.
Other areas identified for collaboration include strengthening School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), promoting Second Chance Education for out-of-school girls, supporting independent monitoring, policy advocacy and ensuring communities take ownership of AGILE-supported infrastructure.
Both organisations agreed to deepen engagement, with KADBEAM set to develop a strategic partnership proposal to support AGILE’s sustainability agenda.
The KADBEAM delegation included Simeon Olatunde, Secretary of KADBEAM, alongside other members of the mechanism.
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen community-led accountability and help ensure that AGILE’s investments continue to improve learning opportunities for girls across Kaduna State long after the project comes to an end.
