The Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Education, Mr. Alabi Albert Bamigbade, has called for gender equity in education, insisting that every child, regardless of sex, must be given equal opportunity to learn, develop and achieve their full potential.
Mr. Alabi made the call on Wednesday while delivering a keynote address titled “Equity in Education” at the Speech and Prize-Giving Day of De Best Hope College, Oboroke, Ihima, in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.
He said education remains the only instrument for transforming lives and reducing poverty, and stressed that gender equity must go beyond merely enrolling boys and girls in school. According to him, every learner must be supported and encouraged to harness their abilities and aspirations.
The Permanent Secretary commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for ensuring that every learner in the state, irrespective of gender, religion or ethnic background, has equal opportunity to learn in a safe and conducive environment. He noted that the state government, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), has recorded significant milestones in addressing gender issues in education.
Highlighting some of these achievements, Mr. Alabi disclosed that the state disbursed a grant of N534 million to support 13,359 vulnerable adolescent school girls. He also cited the establishment of 65 alternative mass literacy education centres across the state’s 21 Local Government Areas, as well as the ongoing comprehensive renovation and remodelling of 728 public primary and secondary schools.
He said these interventions have gone a long way in boosting student retention and enrolment, curbing drop-out rates, and creating a safe learning environment, particularly for the female child.
Mr. Alabi further disclosed that the state’s draft policy on gender in education, along with its Implementation Guidelines for 2026–2036, would strengthen government’s capacity to initiate and oversee the integration of gender concerns across all facets of learners’ educational life.
He called on school authorities and teachers to treat all students fairly, encourage their participation in every subject, and discard stereotypes suggesting that certain careers or professions belong exclusively to one gender.
The Permanent Secretary also urged parents and guardians to invest equally in the education of their sons and daughters, noting that every child deserves quality education and has the potential to contribute meaningfully to society.
Addressing the students, Mr. Alabi encouraged them to respect one another, work together and celebrate each other’s strengths, stressing that success is determined not by gender but by discipline, integrity, hard work and a willingness to learn.
He commended the Proprietor of De Best Hope College for his commitment to academic excellence and character development.
