The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) has convened a stakeholders’ engagement meeting to validate the draft Sokoto State Policy on Gender in Education.
Declaring the engagement open, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, stated that the proposed policy aligns with national and international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 5 on gender equality — as well as the nine-point agenda of the current administration under Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.
Represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isah Muhammad Maishanu, Professor Ladan emphasised that the engagement goes beyond a routine exercise.
He described it as a participatory process and urged stakeholders to contribute meaningfully.
“This engagement is not merely a formality. It is a participatory process. Your insights, experiences, and recommendations are vital in shaping a policy that is practical, inclusive, and responsive to the realities of our communities,” he said.
He added that validating the draft policy would significantly promote equitable, accessible, and transformative education for every child in Sokoto State.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing policies that promote inclusivity, protect learners’ rights, and strengthen the capacity of teachers and schools to deliver quality education.
In his welcome address, the Deputy State Coordinator of AGILE, Dr Kabiru Garba Gobir, said the meeting aims to eliminate gender disparity among students in the state.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration, noting that achieving gender equity in education requires collective effort from all stakeholders.
“Gender equity in education cannot be achieved by one institution alone. It requires strong collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and communities,” he said.
Dr Gobir further noted that Sokoto State continues to face significant challenges in bridging the gender gap in education.
He revealed that AGILE has provided both financial and technical support to facilitate the domestication of the Gender in Education Policy in the state.
He reaffirmed AGILE’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry, stakeholders, and communities to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.
Participants were drawn from various agencies, departments, and parastatals under the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, as well as Science and Technology.
In his closing remarks, Assistant System Strengthening Officer Suleiman Musa thanked participants for their contributions and encouraged them to continue providing meaningful input, noting that the policy document belongs to the people of Sokoto State.
