Sokoto AGILE Project Holds First Biannual Review Meeting to Strengthen Safe Learning Spaces for Adolescent Girls

The Sokoto State Government, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, has held its first biannual review meeting with school principals, mentors, government officials, and development partners to assess the implementation of the Safe Spaces initiative in 100 selected schools across the state.

The meeting, held at Ibro Grand Hotel, Sokoto, brought together key stakeholders to review the progress of the programme, identify implementation challenges, and develop strategies for strengthening the Safe Spaces initiative. The programme is designed to ensure that schools provide safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments where adolescent girls can learn, grow, and achieve their full potential.

In his welcome remarks, the Sokoto State AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari welcomed participants and expressed appreciation for their continued commitment to the success of the Safe Spaces programme. He thanked the principals, mentors, government officials, and development partners for their dedication and urged them to continuously review the implementation of the Safe Spaces programme in the 100 selected schools to ensure that its objectives are achieved and its impact is sustained.

Delivering the objectives of the meeting, the AGILE Project Component Lead 2.2 (Life Skills), Mairo Sharif, said the biannual review was organized to assess the implementation of the Safe Spaces programme, identify successes and challenges, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and develop practical strategies for improving mentorship, safeguarding, and support services for adolescent girls in the participating schools.

Representing the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Agency for Mass Education, Dr. Nura Bello, reaffirmed the Sokoto State Government's commitment to expanding access to quality education and promoting safe learning environments for all students, particularly the girl child.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Hauwau Umar Jabo, and the President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Sokoto State Chapter, Comrade Muhammad Ikililu Abubakar. They described the Safe Spaces initiative as a vital intervention that promotes the protection, empowerment, and overall well being of adolescent girls. They also called on all stakeholders to sustain their support and strengthen collaboration to ensure the programme continues to achieve its objectives.

Speaking during the meeting, the AGILE Project Component Lead 3.1 (System Strengthening), Sulaiman Musa, emphasized the importance of providing safe and enabling learning environments for girls. He reaffirmed the project's commitment to working closely with schools, communities, and relevant government institutions to strengthen safeguarding measures, enhance mentorship, and improve learning outcomes across participating schools.

Participants reviewed the implementation of the Safe Spaces programme in the 100 selected schools, highlighting major achievements, discussing implementation challenges, and identifying practical strategies to strengthen mentorship, student support services, and effective programme delivery.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Abdulganiyu of the Save the Child Initiative, who shared insights on strengthening child protection mechanisms for girls and enhancing community participation in supporting the Safe Spaces programme.

Delivering the closing remarks, the President of ANCOPSS, Sokoto State Chapter, Comrade Muhammad Ikililu Abubakar, commended the Sokoto State Government and the AGILE Project for their commitment to improving girls' education. He urged principals, mentors, and other stakeholders to sustain the momentum by working together to ensure that every school remains a safe, inclusive, and conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The meeting ended with participants reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthening collaboration and sustaining safe learning environments that promote the education, protection, and empowerment of every child in Sokoto State.