By Abdulkareem Haruna


The World Bank has lauded Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, as a leading force in the successful implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.


This commendation was made by the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, during the inauguration of a newly built Mega School at the Government Day Secondary School, Mairi, in Jere Local Government Area.

Dr. Diop praised Borno State’s exceptional progress, stating, “This is one of the best performing states for the AGILE project in Nigeria. We strongly support the government’s efforts to provide a conducive learning environment and a brighter future for children and adolescents in the state.”


The AGILE project, supported by the World Bank and implemented by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, aims to enhance secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged 10 to 20. Among the seven implementing states—Ekiti, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, and Borno—Borno has distinguished itself through its remarkable strides in educational reform.

Governor Zulum extended his gratitude to the World Bank for its vital support through several key projects. “These initiatives have significantly advanced the developmental strides of our state, and we are deeply appreciative of the World Bank’s partnership and support,” Zulum stated.

Under Zulum’s leadership, Borno has achieved a dramatic reduction in the number of out-of-school children, dropping from over 2.2 million to fewer than 700,000, a remarkable 70% decrease. Over the past five years, the Zulum administration has constructed 104 schools, restored 2,931 classrooms, and distributed millions of instructional materials to both basic and secondary schools across the state.


Governor Zulum said the state’s commitment to educational development is part of a broader strategy to rebuild and enhance infrastructure after years of insurgency-related challenges. Governor Zulum highlighted the importance of projects such as the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA), the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).

These initiatives, supported by the World Bank, are crucial in fostering resilience and sustainable development in Borno. The collaboration between Borno State and the World Bank demonstrates a shared vision for empowering youth through education and setting a developmental benchmark for other regions to emulate.

The Borno state Commissioner, Engineer Abba Wakilbe, said the impact of these efforts reflects a profound commitment to transforming Borno’s educational landscape, ensuring a brighter future for its young population, and contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the region.