FG allocates ₦1.85bn to educate, rehabilitate Chibok schoolgirls

The Federal Government has announced a ₦1,854,277,768 allocation to fund the education and rehabilitation of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.

In a statement, the Ministry of Education said that the cash is part of the Chibok Girls Intervention Programme and will cover tuition, accommodation, vocational training, psychosocial support, and other related services for the rescued girls through 2027.

Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Folasade, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the funding falls under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the education and future of Nigerian children.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government is ensuring that the rescued 108 girls entrusted to the care of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs continue to receive comprehensive rehabilitation and academic support,” the statement read.

The ministry noted that 68 of the rescued girls are currently enrolled at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, an institution owned by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

“The Federal Government has committed the sum of N1,854,277,768 to complete the Chibok Girls Intervention programme, covering tuition, accommodation, vocational training, psychosocial care, and other support up to 2027,” the Ministry added.

It stated that payments for tuition and accommodation at AUN will continue, despite criticisms from some quarters, emphasising that the government’s priority is to ensure the girls’ education is not disrupted.

The statement urged Nigerians and political actors to support the rehabilitation efforts.

“This commitment is not only financial, it is moral. It represents Nigeria’s pledge to turn a dark chapter in our nation’s history into a story of resilience, dignity, and hope,” the ministry added.

A total of 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014.

87 of the girls are still believed to be in captivity, eleven years later.

The abductions drew global attention and prompted long-running efforts by successive governments, civil society, and families to secure the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of those freed.

The current allocation is designed to sustain the rehabilitation services and ensure access to education for the rescued girls.