The Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, in collaboration with the Kwara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, has called for collective action against child marriage and for greater investment in girls’ education.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Kwara AGILE Communications Officer, Ayobami Ashaolu, and made available to 9japarrot following activities commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) 2026 at Queen Elizabeth School in Ilorin.
The event was held under the global theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” and the AGILE sub-theme, “Empowering Adolescent Girls Through Education, Life Skills and Safe Spaces to End Child Marriage in Nigeria.”
According to Ashaolu, the Kwara AGILE Project Coordinator, Mr. Adeshina Salami while addressing participants commended the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his continued commitment to girls’ education and for creating an environment that allows projects like AGILE to thrive in the state. He noted that the support of the State Government has made it possible for more adolescent girls to stay in school and access opportunities that were once out of their reach.
“keeping girls in school is one of the most effective ways of protecting them from early marriage.” Salami emphasized adding that a girl who stays in school, builds life skills and has a safe space to speak. She is better equipped to make wise choices and resist pressures that could pull her away from the classroom.
He called on the girls to take full advantage of the opportunities available through the project, and appealed to parents, community leaders and stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that no girl is forced into marriage before she has had the chance to complete her education and fulfil her potential.
Also speaking, the Social Norms Officer, Mr. Victor Apaguntan added that, “every girl deserves access to quality education, protection from abuse and harmful practices, and the freedom to make informed decisions about her future.
“As parents, teachers, community leaders, and stakeholders, we all have a responsibility to challenge harmful social norms, protect our girls, and provide them with opportunities to succeed,” he added.
Speaking to journalists, the Project Procurement Officer, Engr. Nihinlola Olawuyi, advised the girls to steer clear of distractions that could derail their academic progress. She described education as the foundation on which their future ambitions will be built. She added that the AGILE project was designed to help adolescent girls complete secondary school and gain the knowledge and skills to grow into responsible, independent members of the society.
On her part, the Project Accountant, Mrs Yemisi Otepola, advised parents and urged them to be more attentive to their daughters and be sensitive to the challenges they face during adolescence. She stressed that guidance, understanding and open communication at home go a long way in helping girls navigate this stage of life.
Mrs Otepola also called on parents to create supportive home environments where girls can speak freely about their concerns, ask for advice and receive the backing they need to make informed decisions.
A quiz competition, facilitated by the Life Skills Lead, Mrs Aminat Yusuf, and the Social Norms Officer, Mr Victor Apaguntan added to the day’s activities, bringing together students from Sheikh Abdulkadir College, Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Oko-Erin, and Queen Elizabeth Secondary School.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Deputy Project Coordinator, Mr Lawal Hamzat, expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government for its steady support of the AGILE Project and commitment to the welfare of adolescent girls. He thanked the guests, parents, teachers and school principals for attending, and commended the students for their active participation and good conduct.
The participating students thanked the Kwara State Government and the AGILE Project for the knowledge and awareness the programme gave them and for the chance to learn more about issues affecting adolescent girls and early marriage.