The Federal Government has empowered 18 rescued Chibok schoolgirls with ₦1m entrepreneurship grants each and vocational starter packs as part of efforts to strengthen their economic independence and help them rebuild their lives.
The beneficiaries received the support during the graduation ceremony of the Chibok Girls Support Programme held in Yola, Adamawa State.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the intervention underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to moving beyond rehabilitation by equipping survivors with the skills and resources needed to become self-reliant.
She described the initiative as an investment in human capital rather than an act of charity, stressing that education, vocational training and economic opportunities remained critical to restoring the dignity of survivors of insurgency.
According to the minister, 12 rescued Chibok girls graduated from the American University of Nigeria, Yola, in May 2026, while another 18 successfully completed vocational and entrepreneurship training.
She disclosed that 33 other rescued girls had been enrolled in a Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme, while 21 currently studying at the American University of Nigeria are expected to complete their degrees in 2027.
“As a government, we believe empowerment is not charity but an investment in people. Education, skills acquisition and economic opportunities are powerful tools for restoring dignity and helping survivors rebuild their lives,” she said.
Beyond the beneficiaries, the Federal Government also extended welfare support to their families, with 221 parents of the rescued girls receiving ₦200,000 each.
The vocational starter packs presented to the graduates included equipment for tailoring, sewing and catering businesses to enable them to establish sustainable livelihoods.
Adamawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Neido Geoffrey, described the graduation as a celebration of resilience, courage and renewed hope.
She said many of the rescued girls had transformed into entrepreneurs and professionals making meaningful contributions to society despite the traumatic experiences they endured.
The Adamawa State Coordinator of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Mustafa Gana, said vocational education remained a practical pathway to entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable livelihoods.
He noted that the empowerment programme represented restoration, renewed hope and a brighter future for the beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Risikatu Solomon expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and its development partners for providing them with educational and vocational opportunities.
She said the intervention had restored their confidence and equipped them with the knowledge and practical skills required to contribute to national development.
“We have been given a second chance through education and skills acquisition. This opportunity has restored our confidence and prepared us to contribute positively to our communities and the nation,” she said.
The graduates pledged to serve as ambassadors of peace, education and hope by mentoring other young girls and advocating increased access to education.
They, however, appealed to the government and other stakeholders to provide employment opportunities for graduates and sustain support for those still pursuing their education.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Chibok Girls’ Parents Association, Yakubu Nkeki, commended the Federal Government and its partners for sustaining interventions targeted at the rescued girls.
He said the continued support had helped many of them overcome trauma, regain confidence and rebuild their lives.
The Chibok schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.
While many have since regained their freedom through rescue operations and negotiations, efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity continue.
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