President Tinubu Approves N1.85 Billion Intervention for Rescued Chibok Girls’ Education and Rehabilitation

President Tinubu has approved N1.85 billion intervention for rescued Chibok Girls’ Education and Rehabilitation.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a N1.85 billion intervention programme to support the education, rehabilitation, and welfare of rescued Chibok girls up to 2027.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, 108 of the rescued girls remain under government care, with 68 currently enrolled at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola. Their tuition, accommodation, and other fees are fully covered by the Federal Government.

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“The Federal Government has committed N1,854,277,768 to complete the Chibok Girls Intervention Programme, covering tuition, accommodation, vocational training, psychosocial care, and other support up to 2027,” the ministry said.

Programme Breakdown

• Tuition for 68 girls in the 2024/25 academic year: N389,666,928

• Tuition for 30 girls (2025–2027): N515,735,640

• Vocational training and starter packs for 30 AUN students: N150,000,000

• Vocational training and starter packs for 39 girls: N195,000,000

• Accommodation and feeding for 39 girls during vocational training: N117,000,000

• Rent allowance for nine girls in Adamawa: N16,200,000

• Child support for nine girls: N22,680,000

• Parental support for 276 girls: N165,600,000

• Surgical and medical support for one girl: N3,680,000

• Travel and logistics for surgery: N900,000

• Pre- and post-surgery travel/logistics: N5,000,000

• NHIS enrollment for 68 girls: N2,815,200

• Monitoring and evaluation of academic progress (3 years): N120,000,000

• Food, toiletries, and essentials (3 years): N150,000,000

The total budget amounts to N1,854,277,768.

Beyond Financial Support

The Ministry noted that the initiative represents Nigeria’s commitment to transforming a tragic chapter into one of resilience, dignity, and hope. President Tinubu’s decision ensures the girls’ continued education at AUN, despite political criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“The administration calls on all Nigerians, including opposition leaders, to support the rehabilitation of these young women rather than indulge in grandstanding. True leadership is measured by tangible action, not empty criticism,” the Ministry stated.

Background

The abduction of the Chibok girls in April 2014 remains one of Nigeria’s most tragic security incidents. Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014. Over the years, military operations and negotiations have freed or led to the escape of more than 178 girls, but more than 90 remain missing.

UNICEF reports that conflict-related violence has resulted in the abduction of over 1,680 children, the killing of 180 children in school attacks, and 60 school staff kidnapped over the last decade. Attacks on schools have forced the closure of around 11,500 schools and left over one million children afraid to attend school.