Kogi Intensifies Fight Against Child Marriage, Expands Support for Girls’ Education

AGILE showcases interventions to support adolescent girls, including cash transfers, safe spaces and second-chance education

The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to quality education for adolescent girls and tackling child marriage across the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, gave the assurance in Lokoja during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration organised by the Kogi State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in collaboration with the State Ministry of Education.

The event, held at GYB Model Science Secondary School, Lokoja, had the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.” It brought together students, out-of-school girls, teachers, government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders.

Jones said the theme reflected the state government’s commitment to ensuring that adolescent girls had access to a safe and supportive learning environment.

He said the government was working closely with the AGILE Project Implementation Unit to support interventions aimed at improving educational opportunities and empowering girls across the state.

According to him, the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to providing the necessary support for the successful implementation of the project.

The commissioner urged adolescent girls to take their education seriously and make effective use of the opportunities available to them, noting that education was essential for personal development, empowerment and future leadership.

He also reiterated the government’s opposition to child marriage, warning that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws.

Jones stressed that girls should be allowed to complete their education and develop their potential without being exposed to harmful practices that could jeopardise their future.

AGILE highlights interventions for adolescent girls

Earlier, the Kogi AGILE State Project Coordinator, Ahmed Tijani Oricha, described the International Day of the Girl Child as an opportunity to renew collective efforts towards improving the welfare, education and empowerment of adolescent girls.

Oricha said the AGILE Project was designed to expand learning opportunities for girls and encourage parents, teachers, caregivers and community leaders to support their continued participation in education.

He commended Governor Ododo for supporting the project and acknowledged the Ministry of Education, under Jones’ leadership, for its institutional support and collaboration.

The project coordinator highlighted key interventions being implemented under AGILE, including school infrastructure development, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), Life Skills Education, Safe Spaces and second-chance education opportunities for girls who had dropped out of school.

He explained that the interventions were intended to address barriers that prevent adolescent girls from enrolling in school, remaining in the classroom and completing their secondary education.

Oricha, however, noted that government efforts alone would not be enough to eliminate the challenges confronting girls.

He called on parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers and other community stakeholders to support initiatives promoting girls’ education and discourage harmful social practices.

According to him, child marriage remains a major barrier to girls’ education because it can interrupt schooling, restrict future opportunities and limit their ability to make informed decisions about their lives.

He stressed that investing in girls’ education would help them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and society.

Students advocate against child marriage

The celebration featured goodwill messages from traditional and religious leaders, who emphasised the importance of protecting girls’ rights and ensuring access to education.

The participation of out-of-school girls was also a major highlight, reflecting the project’s focus on reaching vulnerable adolescents and creating opportunities for those who had discontinued their education to return to learning.

Students from participating schools, including Crowther Memorial College, Army Day Secondary School, Muslim Community Secondary School and GYB Model Science Secondary School, took part in the activities.

Highlights included an intersecondary school debate on “Child Marriage or Secondary Education,” poetry recitations and drama presentations designed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and the consequences of child marriage.

The activities provided students with opportunities to express their views, showcase their talents and promote positive social change.

The AGILE Project also displayed its interventions through exhibition stalls featuring Life Skills Education, Conditional Cash Transfers, Safe Spaces and the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

The exhibition provided participants with information on the project’s support systems and how they contribute to girls’ education, empowerment and protection.

The commemoration reinforced the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, schools, parents, community leaders and the media to address barriers to girls’ education.

The Kogi AGILE Project reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to improve access to secondary education and equip adolescent girls with the skills and opportunities needed to achieve their full potential.

The event ended with a call for collective action to end child marriage, strengthen community support for girls’ education and ensure that no girl is left behind.

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