Amina Haruna: Pioneering Educational Transformation for Adolescent Girls in Nigeria
By Saleh Faruq Gagarawa
Mrs Amina Buba Haruna, Director at the Federal Ministry of Education and National Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, stands at the forefront of one of Nigeria’s most impactful educational programs. Under her guidance, the AGILE project has made remarkable strides in addressing educational access challenges for adolescent girls across Nigeria. With her visionary leadership, this World Bank-backed project has already enrolled more than 2.4 million girls in secondary schools, while also providing scholarships to over 577,863 young girls to help them remain in school, thus countering high dropout rates due to financial hardship.
Haruna’s strategic approach to AGILE focuses on transforming the educational landscape for girls aged 10-20, particularly in areas with significant out-of-school rates. Her dedication to the cause is evident in every facet of the project, from securing additional funding to fostering partnerships with state governments to ensure long-term sustainability. This commitment has secured AGILE a substantial budget of $1.2 billion, combining contributions from the World Bank and Nigerian federal government, all directed toward creating safe, inclusive, and accessible education for girls nationwide.
A core component of Amina Haruna’s leadership is her advocacy for life skills training as part of the AGILE curriculum. She understands that education is not solely about academics but also about equipping young girls with the confidence and abilities to navigate life beyond the classroom. This component has been transformative, empowering girls to aspire to roles in Nigeria’s social and economic spheres that have traditionally been less accessible to girls.
Her influence extends across every state involved in the project, as she has worked tirelessly with state-level education officials to align resources and implement AGILE’s initiatives effectively. Mrs Haruna has not only ensured that thousands of Nigerian girls have access to education but has also fostered a supportive environment for their continuous growth and development.
Through her efforts, AGILE has become a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to gender equality in education. Amina Haruna’s role has not only been instrumental in achieving immediate outcomes but has also set a sustainable foundation for future generations of educated, empowered young girls. Haruna ’s leadership stands as a beacon of progress, aligning Nigeria’s educational goals with the global commitment to achieving gender parity in education.
Her vision is clear: “AGILE is not just a project; it is a movement toward empowering every Nigerian girl through education.” Her commitment to this mission underscores Nigeria’s resolve to reshape its educational system, making it inclusive for all young girls. Through Amina Buba Haruna efforts, AGILE is helping transform lives, families, and communities, creating a legacy of empowerment for Nigerian girls.
