In the final phase of its ongoing education support drive, Lift Africa Foundation has awarded full scholarships to 330 girls from rural communities across 10 local government areas in Kano State. This milestone brings the total number of beneficiaries to 3,360 girls under the Foundation’s flagship From Streets to Classrooms project — a program initially supported by the World Bank’s Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Nigeria Partnership for Education Project (NIPEP).
The initiative targets the most vulnerable children, particularly girls, ensuring they not only gain access to education but remain in school through sustained financial and social support.
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Empowering Girls, Building Nigeria’s Future
While girls represent about 60% of out-of-school children in Nigeria, they also make up over half of the nation’s population — a clear indicator of untapped potential. Despite legislation mandating free and compulsory primary education in many states, including Kano, economic hardship continues to deny thousands of children their right to learn.
Many girls from low-income families face barriers such as going to school hungry, trekking long distances barefoot, or attending without basic supplies. These daily struggles weaken morale, lower performance, and push many toward early marriage or child labor.
Lift Africa Foundation’s scholarship program directly addresses these realities, ensuring that no child is left behind because of poverty.
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Scholarship Model with Accountability and Dignity
Under this phase, each of the 330 beneficiaries received ₦32,000 per term for five years — amounting to ₦480,000 per child. The funds cover feeding, uniforms, learning materials, and general upkeep, ensuring consistent school attendance and improved academic outcomes.
To promote transparency and inclusion, parents were directly engaged in the process. Each parent received an ATM card linked to a wallet account opened in the child’s name, enabling structured disbursements supervised by the Kano State Ministry of Education. Withdrawals are restricted to one per term for five consecutive years, preventing misuse and guaranteeing that the funds serve their intended purpose.
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A Commitment to Education Equity
Speaking during the disbursement, Aisha Hamman, Founder and CEO of Lift Africa Foundation, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to breaking educational barriers for girls:
“Lift Africa is committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of social or economic background, have access to quality education and equal opportunities. By supporting these girls with the resources they need to stay in school, we are investing in the future leaders of Nigeria.”
Her remarks echo the foundation’s broader vision — that educating one girl uplifts an entire community.
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Impact in Numbers
Since its launch, the From Streets to Classrooms initiative has:
• Reintegrated 3,360 out-of-school girls into formal education across Kano State.
• Provided consistent financial and material support (school supplies, uniforms, and stipends) to sustain attendance.
• Engaged parents and communities to promote accountability and transparency.
• Strengthened learning outcomes and confidence among girls in underserved areas.
This model has become a reference point for gender-sensitive educational interventions in Northern Nigeria.
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Sustaining the Path to Inclusion
The From Streets to Classrooms initiative continues to bridge the gap between policy and practice — turning commitments to education into real, measurable progress. Through targeted scholarships, community engagement, and strong accountability frameworks, Lift Africa Foundation is redefining what inclusive education looks like in practice.
By keeping girls in school, the Foundation ensures that cycles of poverty and inequality are broken — one classroom, one child, and one empowered girl at a time.