In a significant show of partnership and progress, the Executive Director of CATAI recently welcomed the Partnership Manager from the Malala Fund on a field monitoring and familiarization visit to key locations in Adamawa State. The visit aimed to review the ongoing implementation of the “Educate a Girl” project and celebrate the collaborative efforts to improve education financing and access for girls in conflict-affected communities.

The visit began with a courtesy meeting at CATAI’s office, where the Executive Director provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s work and the strides made through the Malala-supported project. Central to the discussion was CATAI’s role in advancing education financing in Adamawa State—including a critical analysis of the state’s education budget and the tangible impact of the project at the community level. The Executive Director also reaffirmed CATAI’s commitment to achieving the project’s objectives within the remaining timeline.

A key highlight of the visit was a meeting with the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, who has been a longstanding ally of the project. The Commissioner commended CATAI’s efforts in policy development, advocacy, and institutional strengthening. He noted that while Adamawa State had developed several education documents over the years, funding constraints had delayed their implementation. With support from the Malala Fund and CATAI’s technical guidance, many of these policies were finally validated and operationalized—marking a turning point in the state’s education reform journey.

The monitoring team also visited Wuro Hausa Government Day Secondary School and Toungo GDSS to engage with school principals and students involved in the project’s life skills program. The warm reception from students was a testament to the project’s reach and influence. The Executive Director encouraged them to stay committed to their education and applauded the innovative skills they had developed—from crafts to entrepreneurship.

The visit concluded with a powerful media engagement at NAS FM Yola, where the Executive Director joined a live radio program to speak on the challenges and opportunities for girls’ education in Nigeria. The radio sessions, a weekly feature of the project, have become a critical platform for raising awareness and driving community support for gender equity in education.

This visit reinforced the shared vision between CATAI, the Malala Fund, and state education stakeholders: to create sustainable, inclusive, and empowering educational opportunities for girls. It was also a moment to reflect on the progress made and the work still to be done—together.