FG Extends Support for Chibok Girls to 2027

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦1.85 billion intervention package dedicated to the education, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the rescued Chibok girls, extending support up to the year 2027. The programme, according to the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed not just as a financial commitment but as a national promise to transform one of Nigeria’s darkest tragedies into a story of resilience, hope, and human dignity.

The Ministry confirmed that of the 178 girls rescued from Boko Haram captivity, 108 remain under government care. Out of this number, 68 are enrolled at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, where their tuition, accommodation, and other fees are fully covered by the Federal Government. These girls continue to receive the educational and emotional support they need to rebuild their lives and pursue their dreams despite the trauma they endured.

The total sum committed to the intervention stands at ₦1,854,277,768. This allocation will cover tuition fees, accommodation, vocational training, psychosocial care, medical support, parental and child care assistance, as well as the monitoring of academic progress for the rescued girls. By spreading the initiative over three years, the government is ensuring stability and continuity, making it possible for the girls to plan their lives beyond immediate survival.

A detailed breakdown shows how the funds will be spent. Tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic session alone amount to ₦389.6 million, covering 68 girls at an annual unit cost of over ₦5.7 million per person. Between 2025 and 2027, another ₦515.7 million will be provided to cover tuition for 30 girls at the same cost. Recognizing that education is not only about classrooms but also about practical empowerment, the government has budgeted ₦345 million for vocational training and starter packs. This will be shared among both the girls studying at AUN and those who are transitioning into other career paths.

Accommodation and feeding during vocational training have also been prioritized, with ₦117 million set aside for 39 girls. For those living outside campus, such as the nine girls in Adamawa, a rent allowance totaling ₦16.2 million has been approved for three years. To support the young mothers among them, ₦22.68 million has been budgeted for child support, ensuring that their children are cared for while they focus on their education and training.

The intervention also considers the role of parents in rehabilitation. A sum of ₦165.6 million has been allocated for parental support to help strengthen family ties and promote a stable environment for reintegration. On the medical front, one girl requiring surgery will receive ₦3.68 million for the procedure, while an additional ₦5.9 million has been set aside for travel and logistics related to her treatment. To further guarantee healthcare access, all 68 girls will be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for three years at a cost of ₦2.8 million.

Beyond academics and healthcare, ₦150 million has been earmarked for basic needs such as food, toiletries, sanitary wares, and other essentials over three years. Another ₦120 million will go into monitoring and evaluating the girls’ academic progress, making sure that the intervention does not just end with financial support but achieves its ultimate goal of helping these young women build productive futures.

For the Federal Ministry of Education, this programme is about more than money. In its statement, the Ministry described it as a symbol of Nigeria’s determination to turn a painful memory into a national triumph. It noted that President Tinubu had shown true statesmanship by ensuring that the girls’ education at AUN continues, even though the university is owned by a political opponent, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“This administration therefore calls on well-meaning Nigerians, including opposition leaders, to join hands in supporting these young women rather than indulging in grandstanding. True leadership is measured by tangible action, not empty criticism,” the Ministry urged.

The story of the Chibok girls remains one of Nigeria’s most tragic yet defining events. On the night of April 14, 2014, Boko Haram insurgents stormed Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, and abducted 276 girls who were preparing for their final exams. The abduction sparked global outrage, leading to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign that drew attention from world leaders, activists, and celebrities.

Over the years, military operations and negotiations led to the release of more than 178 girls, but over 90 are still missing. Families and communities continue to live with uncertainty and grief, with many parents holding on to hope that their daughters will one day return. As of April 2024, UNICEF reported that at least 90 girls remain unaccounted for.

The Chibok abduction is not an isolated incident. In the last decade, conflict-related violence has claimed thousands of young lives across Nigeria. UNICEF records show that more than 1,680 children have been abducted while at school or elsewhere since 2014. At least 180 children have been killed in attacks on schools, with 60 school staff kidnapped and 14 killed. More than 70 schools have suffered direct attacks, forcing closures that disrupted the education of over a million children. By 2020, nearly 11,500 schools were shut down due to insecurity, leaving millions of children out of classrooms and fearful of returning.

Against this backdrop, the Tinubu administration’s decision to sustain and expand the Chibok Girls Intervention Programme is a significant gesture of commitment. It acknowledges that the tragedy of 2014 cannot be erased but can be transformed into an opportunity to rebuild lives and restore trust in the nation’s ability to protect and nurture its children.

For the rescued girls, the government’s intervention is not just financial support it is recognition of their courage and a pledge that their future matters. It sends a strong message that even in the face of adversity, Nigeria will not abandon its daughters.