EKITI AGILE PROJECT DRIVES GENDER-INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL TRANSFORMATION IN 203 PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), supported by the World Bank, is reshaping the face of public education in Ekiti State, reaching beyond its focus on girls to create inclusive, future-ready learning environments for all students across 203 public secondary schools.
Though its name highlights the global drive to close the gender gap in education, AGILE in Ekiti has evolved into a comprehensive reform movement , one that equips both girls and boys with digital tools, safe spaces, improved infrastructure, and the opportunity to thrive in a modern, equitable learning system.
Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, describes the project as both visionary and inclusive in its implementation:
“AGILE in Ekiti is not just about improving education for girls , it’s about transforming the system for every child. We are rebuilding schools, expanding digital access, and nurturing safe, inclusive spaces. Our belief is simple: the future we envision for girls must also empower our boys.”
Across the state, schools have undergone remarkable upgrades. Classrooms, science and ICT labs, libraries, administrative blocks, and gender-sensitive toilets have been constructed or rehabilitated. Accessibility ramps ensure that students with disabilities are not left out. Many schools are now fenced and powered by solar energy, creating safer and more stable learning environments.
Perhaps most striking is the digital leap. With the installation of smartboards, laptops, and desktop computers, classrooms have become vibrant hubs of interactive learning. These tools are transforming how students learn, solve problems, and prepare for a technology-driven world , regardless of their gender or location.
Mrs. Yewande Adesua, AGILE State Project Coordinator, notes that the project is deliberately inclusive in its design and impact.
“The essence of AGILE in Ekiti is empowerment through equal opportunity,” she said. “From urban centres to rural communities, our boys and girls now learn side by side in connected, modern classrooms. They’re building confidence, mastering digital skills, and shaping their own futures.”
In addition to infrastructure and technology, AGILE is actively nurturing students’ psychosocial well-being. Dedicated safe spaces in schools provide room for confidential conversations, emotional support, and mentorship , overseen by trained focal teachers and counselors. These spaces serve both girls and boys, fostering resilience, awareness, and trust.
Through school-based digital literacy clubs, career talks, and life skills workshops, AGILE also helps students explore their interests and navigate real-world challenges. The recent AGILE Games 2025 brought these efforts to life, with male and female students competing equally in categories like entrepreneurship, painting, basketball, environmental innovation, and collaborative learning challenges.
Beyond the classroom, AGILE works at the community level engaging parents, SBMCs, traditional leaders, and faith-based groups in meaningful conversations about the value of inclusive education. Through town halls and stakeholder forums, the project reinforces that transformative education must be a shared vision.
A student at Ado Community High School, Goodness Benjamin,captured the spirit of the project perfectly:
“AGILE changed everything. Our teachers now use smartboards, we have computers we can actually use, and our school feels safer. It’s not just for girls. My male classmates and I are growing because of AGILE.”
As Ekiti continues to champion education that uplifts every learner, AGILE stands as a model of what happens when global ambition meets inclusive, community-driven action. It is not just changing schools , it is redefining equity, access, and opportunity for the next generation.
