FG Expands Education and Skills Support for Rescued Chibok Girls
The Nigerian Government has again re-stated its commitment to ensuring that the future of the rescued Chibok girls is defined by opportunity and not adversity through education, vocational training, entrepreneurship grants and start-up support.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while speaking at the Vocational Skills Graduation, Empowerment and close-out of the Rescued Chibok Girls Support Programme, with the theme, “Celebrating Courage, Inspiring Independence: Graduation and Economic Empowerment of Rescued Chibok Girls,” said that the event symbolises renewed hope and national resolve.
“This event is so much more than a graduation ceremony. It is a celebration of courage, resilience, hope, healing and the transformative power of education and empowerment. “It is also a re-statement of our shared resolve to make sure that no Nigerian child is defined by the circumstances of his or her past but by the infinite possibilities of their future.
The minister said the intervention is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and said: “We are not just responding to the challenges of the vulnerable groups we are creating sustainable ways for recovery, self-reliance and prosperity.”
She revealed that while another 21 rescued Chibok girls are expected to graduate in 2027, 12 of their colleagues graduated from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in May 2026 in Yola. Also, 18 beneficiaries undertook vocational and entrepreneurship training and 33 were enrolled at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.
“So, today’s ceremony is not just about handing out certificates. It is about restoring dignity, rebuilding confidence and creating opportunities that will last for generations,” the Minister said.
She called for continued support for the beneficiaries. “We all have to come together, all of us, all of the system, all of government, all of society to help them to recover. We cannot keep reminding them of the sad part of their lives. “We have to remind them of, you know, the good parts, the future, because these children have been resilient.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs, Fatima Farouk also motivated the graduates.
Many years ago your names became known to the world for a tragic pain that was no fault of any one of you but today we are gathered here for another reason. I see survivors. I see mothers. I see leaders. I see professionals. “These young women have gained valuable vocational skills that will enable them to lead dignified and independent lives,” said Farouk.
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“This activity is more than the receiving of a certificate; it is a new beginning, a new hope…,” said Valedictorian, Hauwa Mute. We have been supplied with practical skills and the courage to be self-reliant and productive members of society.”
Rifkatu Solomon, representing the AUN graduates, said they were committed to mentoring young girls and contributing to the national development.
We are so much grateful to you for the second chance at life you have given us through the sponsorship of our education at the American University of Nigeria Yola. “This support has turned what once was an impossible dream into a reality,” she said.
At the ceremony, 18 vocational graduates were presented with sewing and catering equipment and ₦1million business grants each. Twelve AUN graduates also received the benefit of ₦1 million entrepreneurial grants while 21 students expected to graduate in 2027 will also enjoy similar support on graduation.
Other support also included eight deep freezers and 10 sewing machines, tailoring and catering equipment and N1 million business grants for 33 TVET beneficiaries after the completion of their training.
221 parents received ₦200,000 business support grants to improve family livelihoods; Three industrial sewing machines for the Chibok Tailoring Centre.
