In a bold step to transform the lives of underserved girls and women across Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has mobilized Commissioners of Education from twelve pilot states to support the rollout of LUMINAH 2030—a multi-phase initiative aimed at empowering over one million beneficiaries by the year 2030.
Describing the programme as “a national movement to dismantle exclusion, poverty, and silence,” Professor Ahmad called on states to take full ownership of LUMINAH 2030 by ensuring transparent and equitable implementation. She noted that the twelve states were selected based on data highlighting urgent educational needs and the potential for significant impact.
LUMINAH—an acronym for Learning, Uniting, Modernizing, Innovating, Nurturing, Accelerating, and Harmonizing—will be implemented in three major phases:
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Root Phase: Targets female caregivers with vocational skills and financial literacy training, directly linking women’s economic progress to improved school enrollment for their daughters.
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Stem Phase: Provides accelerated, culturally relevant education to out-of-school girls aged 5–15 through interactive learning methods.
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Bloom Phase: Supports girls aged 15–18 with access to senior secondary education, vocational training, and leadership development, preparing them for a productive, empowered future.
Speaking during a high-level consultation in Abuja, the Head of the LUMINAH 2030 Secretariat, Mrs. Amina Buba Haruna, underscored the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments to deliver inclusive, scalable, and context-sensitive solutions. “This is not just a federal programme—it is a shared responsibility to ensure no girl or woman is left behind,” she stated.
The session offered a platform for aligning state and federal objectives, refining implementation strategies, and sharing innovative approaches to reach Nigeria’s most marginalized groups. The Minister urged Commissioners to build on existing policies and partnerships to fast-track delivery.
With over 15 million out-of-school children in Nigeria—60% of them girls—LUMINAH 2030 aims to break the cycle of generational poverty by linking education access with women’s economic empowerment. The initiative’s long-term success will be sustained through joint support from federal and state governments, development partners, and the private sector.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of LUMINAH 2030, offering strong policy support, technical assistance, and collaborative partnerships. Together with the states, the Ministry pledged to ensure no girl is left behind in the quest for a more inclusive and empowered Nigeria.
Elijah Adeyemi
