AGILE Project: Kwara Govt Commended as Over 5,000 SBMC Members Undergo Training

AGILE Project: Kwara Govt Commended as Over 5,000 SBMC Members Undergo Training

By Hussaina Yakubu

August. 30, 2025

Alim and Associates Ltd. has commended the Kwara State Government for the successful completion of a large-scale training exercise for School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

The firm, which serves as the supervisory consultant for Component 1.2 of the Kwara AGILE Project, made this known while addressing journalists in Ilorin.

According to the Managing Partner, Engr. Muhyideen Alimi Yusuf, the five-day exercise trained over 5,000 SBMC members across the three senatorial districts in the state.

“Despite challenges, we have successfully completed the training of SBMCs for 898 schools in Kwara. These committees now have the knowledge to prepare School Improvement Plans (SIPs) that will inform project approvals for their respective schools,” Yusuf said.

He urged participants to apply the skills acquired in producing functional SIPs, noting the critical role SBMCs play in the success of the AGILE initiative.

Yusuf further encouraged parents to take advantage of upcoming school renovations to re-enroll their children, especially girls, to complete at least secondary education.

Speaking at one of the training centres in Ajase, the Kwara AGILE Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulazeez Adesina Salami, described the training as one of the project’s major achievements so far.

He acknowledged funding challenges but commended the support from stakeholders, particularly Alim and Associates Ltd.

“What we initially saw as challenges became our strength. The participants showed impressive enthusiasm and commitment,” Salami said.

The Deputy Project Coordinator, Mr. Lawal Hamza Adisa, also praised the turnout across the training centres, saying the feedback from participants has been largely positive.

“We have visited the centres, observed the sessions, and seen first-hand the seriousness of the trainees. Alim and Associates has done a commendable job,” he added.

QS Amina Shehu, Component 1.2 Lead, echoed similar sentiments, noting that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure proper utilisation of AGILE funds.

She said the training was well-attended, with participants travelling from their respective local government areas to ensure their communities benefit from the project.

Environmental expert on the project, Mr. Owolabi, assured that all necessary environmental safeguards are in place to prevent risks during project implementation.

Dr. Adeyemi Adeyemo, the lead resource person, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the training and lauded the commitment of participants.

In their remarks, other stakeholders praised the Kwara State Government for its commitment to the AGILE initiative.

The AGILE project, a federal government programme supported by the World Bank, aims to improve access to secondary education for adolescent girls aged 10 to 20 across selected communities.

It is implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education and coordinated by national and state-level Project Implementation Units.

The initiative addresses key barriers to girls’ education, including financial constraints, sociocultural pressures, and inadequate infrastructure, with the goal of ensuring that girls are enrolled, retained, and complete secondary education.