Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program in the state.
The governor voiced his concerns on Friday while receiving a delegation from the World Bank and the National Project Team, led by Mr. Shinsaku Nomura, Task Team Leader and Senior Economist, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
A former President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and veteran labour leader, Governor Idris reaffirmed his administration’s strong commitment to prioritizing education, teachers’ welfare, and infrastructure development.
While welcoming the AGILE delegation to Kebbi State, the “Land of Equity,” he expressed appreciation for their two-day working visit but stated clearly that he was “not impressed” with the level of progress recorded so far.
The governor raised concerns over operational lapses within the project and pledged to personally meet with the team in Abuja to address the issues transparently.
He also condemned the award of a N7.8 billion contract allegedly carried out without the involvement of local contractors, describing the process as opaque. He revealed that some officials linked to the matter had already been sanctioned.
Governor Idris emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness in contract awards, insisting that qualified Kebbi-based companies must not be sidelined in favour of outsiders.
He further called for corrective measures and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective project delivery.
Citing stalled projects, including one along the Gwandu axis, he urged renewed commitment to achieve the objectives of the AGILE program, which aims to improve access to quality education for adolescent girls.
In his remarks, Mr. Shinsaku Nomura thanked the Kebbi State Government for its hospitality and reaffirmed the World Bank’s support for the project.
He said the team had visited several construction sites, interacted with teachers, students, and community members, and assessed school-based management committees to identify challenges and areas for improvement.
Nomura also appealed to the governor to expedite pending approvals for payments, noting that delays were affecting project implementation and preparations for the upcoming Implementation Support Mission in Abuja, which will involve all 18 participating states.
