Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has voiced strong disappointment over the slow pace and poor management of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in the state.
The governor expressed his frustration while receiving a delegation from the World Bank and the National Project Team, led by Mr. Shinsaku Nomura, the Task Team Leader and Senior Economist, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
Governor Idris, a former President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming education across Kebbi. He emphasized that improving school infrastructure, enhancing teachers’ welfare, and ensuring prudent use of public funds remain top priorities of his government.
He warned that any project funded through loans must be managed with the highest level of transparency and accountability, stressing that mismanagement would not be tolerated.
Clearly displeased, the governor said he was “not impressed” with the current state of the AGILE programme. He cited unnecessary delays, irregularities, and lack of openness in contract processes as major setbacks.
Governor Idris particularly criticized the secretive award of a ₦7.8 billion contract to external contractors without involving Kebbi-based firms, describing it as “unfair and unacceptable.” He revealed that officials connected to the questionable transaction had already been removed from their positions.
“I will personally meet with the World Bank team in Abuja to ensure these lapses are properly addressed,” the governor declared.
He also mentioned abandoned and delayed projects, including one along the Gwandu axis, as clear evidence of poor coordination, calling on all stakeholders to recommit themselves to the project’s original vision — empowering adolescent girls through education and life skills.
In response, Mr. Nomura expressed appreciation for the governor’s hospitality and the state government’s cooperation. He said his team had visited several schools, met with teachers and students, and observed ongoing efforts. However, he urged the state to speed up approval processes to avoid further delays ahead of the next national review meeting.
Governor Idris’s firm stance highlights his determination to ensure that Kebbi’s education reform is guided by integrity, efficiency, and inclusiveness — principles he believes must shape the true success of the AGILE project in the state.
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