AGILE CCT Scholarship Sparks Educational Revolution for Girls in Nasarawa State, Parents Plead for Expansion

By Nuhu Murtala

A wave of change is sweeping through Nasarawa State as the AGILE Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scholarship empowers thousands of adolescent girls, lifting the financial burden from their families and keeping them in school. As the first cohort of the program concludes successfully, parents are celebrating its transformative impact and urgently calling for its expansion.

Across the seven pilot Local Government Areas—Keana, Doma, Awe, Kokona, Lafia, Wamba, and Nasarawa—the distribution of ATM cards pre-loaded with funds has provided a critical lifeline, turning the dream of an education into a tangible reality for many families.

“This support has been a answered prayer for us,” said Mrs. Martha Okuba, a parent in Doma LGA. “AGILE and the State Government have lifted a heavy weight from our shoulders, ensuring our daughters can focus on their studies without the constant worry over school fees.”

The sentiment is widely shared. Mallam Ogri Musa, also from Doma, described the initiative as a "blessing for poor families," noting that the financial assistance is the key to ensuring his daughter completes her education.

The AGILE Project, a World Bank-supported initiative, provides each beneficiary with ₦40,000—₦15,000 for registration and ₦25,000 for school transition costs. To encourage consistent attendance, an additional ₦10,000 incentive is available for girls who maintain at least 70% attendance in the second and third terms.

Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu Isoga, the State Project Coordinator, reiterated that the program's core mission is to empower girls through education. To ensure transparency, ATM cards were issued directly to the girls and their caregivers, with school principals on hand to verify identities during the process.

With 10,539 girls already benefiting, the focus is now on the future. A second cohort, targeting an additional 35,000 girls in Akwanga, Obi, Nasarawa Eggon, and Keffi LGAs, is highly anticipated.

“We are seeing doors open for our daughters that were once firmly shut,” a group of caregivers in Lafia stated. “We implore AGILE and the government to keep this momentum going. This scholarship isn't just cash; it's the key to our children's future.”

 Key Facts at a Glance

Detail Information

Programme Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) under AGILE

State Nasarawa State

Current Phase First Cohort (Completed)

Beneficiaries 10,539 adolescent girls

LGAs Covered Keana, Awe, Lafia, Wamba, Kokona, Nasarawa, Doma

Selection Basis Poverty ranking

Cash Benefit ₦40,000 per student (₦15k registration + ₦25k transition)

Attendance Incentive ₦10,000 for 70%+ attendance in 2nd & 3rd terms

Next Phase LGAs Akwanga, Obi, Nasarawa Eggon, Keffi

Target for Second Cohort 35,000 adolescent girls

Key Partners Nasarawa State Government & The World Bank

.