The Federal Government has intensified efforts to address barriers limiting girls’ access to education through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, a $1.2 billion intervention supported by the World Bank and currently being implemented in 21 states across the country.

This was disclosed at a media dialogue organised by the Federal Ministry of Education and the AGILE project, themed: “The Girls in the Mirror: Media as Catalysts for Change in Girls’ Education”, held yesterday in Lagos.

Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, said the future of Nigeria depends significantly on the opportunities provided for young girls, stressing that girls must not only be protected but also empowered to become leaders, professionals and decision-makers in society.

She said the media has a critical role in shaping public perception about women and girls, noting that the stories told about them often influence how society values and treats them. According to her, while reports frequently focus on the vulnerabilities and challenges facing girls, there is also a need to deliberately highlight their strength, resilience, achievements and capacity to succeed.

The minister said girls are often stronger and more resilient than they are given credit for, adding that many shoulder enormous responsibilities within their homes and communities while still striving to pursue education and personal development. Drawing from personal experiences, she said women continually demonstrate determination and the ability to overcome difficult circumstances when given the right support and opportunities.

She stressed the importance of equal opportunities for boys and girls, arguing that no society can make meaningful progress when half of its population is left behind. Ahmad said changing societal perceptions about women requires a collective effort from families, educators, policymakers and the media.

According to her, representation also matters in inspiring younger generations, noting that girls are more likely to believe in their potential when they see women succeeding in leadership positions and other areas of national life. She therefore called on journalists and content creators to amplify stories that build confidence and create opportunities for girls rather than narratives that discourage or diminish them.

“Report not only the crises and challenges but also the successes, hard work and determination of girls and women across the country. The media can shape ambitions and influence how society sees the girl child,” she said.

National Project Coordinator, AGILE, Amina Buba Haruna, said the initiative was designed to improve secondary education opportunities for girls, particularly in states facing low participation rates and infrastructural challenges.

Haruna said the project had recorded major milestones since its commencement in 2022, including the renovation of schools, construction of classrooms, provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in federal unity colleges, as well as the deployment of solar-powered mobile toilets to support environments conducive to learning.

She added that more than 1.8 million girls had benefited from conditional cash transfers aimed at reducing poverty-related barriers to education, while over two million girls had acquired digital literacy and other life skills.

According to her, the project also provides opportunities for married and unmarried out-of-school girls through alternative education programmes. She stressed that the success of the initiative depends largely on effective storytelling, broadcasting and public engagement, urging journalists to report more on the impact and achievements of girls across communities.

Group CEO, Red For Africa, Ayodeji Razaq, also urged journalists to tell stories from the perspective of those directly affected in order to promote understanding and social change.

He said people should be portrayed as heroes of their own narratives, adding that storytellers should avoid poverty tourism and focus on positive, impactful storytelling.

Coach, Enifome Ogbimi, said responsible storytelling should not dehumanise people, warning that although negative news may attract attention, a troubled society ultimately affects everyone.