YOLA, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria has graduated the first batch of 18 rescued Chibok schoolgirls under its inaugural vocational skills acquisition scheme, presenting them with starter packs and entrepreneurship grants to support their economic independence.
At a graduation ceremony in Yola, Adamawa State, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, revealed that the beneficiaries underwent intensive training in specialized trades—14 in tailoring and four in catering services.
Each graduate received N1 million in cash along with professional starter packs, part of a comprehensive N128.2 million intervention fund covering the beneficiaries, subsequent cohorts, and their families.
Multi-Tiered Support & Future Batches
Outlining the broader scope of the federal intervention, the Minister detailed a structured rollout for remaining Chibok survivors across educational and vocational tracks:
- Vocational Cohort 2: A second batch comprising 33 rescued Chibok girls will receive N1 million each upon completing their vocational training.
- AUN Graduates (Class of 2026): 12 Chibok girls graduating from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 2026 will be presented with N1 million entrepreneurship grants each.
- AUN Class of 2027: Another 21 Chibok students currently enrolled at AUN will receive N1 million each upon graduation in 2027.
- Parental Empowerment: To bolster household stability, 221 parents of the Chibok girls are being supported with direct financial grants of N200,000 each, alongside eight deep freezers, 10 sewing machines, and three industrial machines.
“We are working to ensure that every survivor has not only the opportunity to recover but also the platform to lead, innovate, and prosper. Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose. The world once knew your story because of a heartbreaking event. From today, let the world know you because of your excellence, your achievements, your creativity, and your contributions.”
— Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development
Stakeholders Applaud Resilience
Also speaking at the event, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mr. Neido Kofulto, commended the Federal Government for rescuing the girls and implementing sustained rehabilitation programs. She urged the beneficiaries to utilize their equipment and capital diligently to build viable enterprises.
Representing the training facilitators, the Managing Director of Modibbo Adama University (MAU) Consultancy Services, Prof. Ibrahim Danjuma, commended the graduates for their dedication throughout the practical modules, expressing optimism that they will emerge as successful business leaders and key contributors to Nigeria’s economy.
