By John Dike, Osogbo
A non-governmental organisation in Osun State, Value Re-Orientation for Community Enhancement, Osogbo, has announced the graduation of the first set of students from the VARCE Girls’ Learning Hub, marking a historic milestone in education and empowerment for out-of-school girls in Osun State.
This was made known by the Executive Director of VARCE, Ademola Adebisi in his office in Osogbo on Thursday.
According to him, the female students recorded remarkable achievements and excellent grades in the just concluded West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
He said a total of 96 girls will be graduating next week, explaining that “86 out of 96 graduates earned a minimum of 9 credits, including Mathematics and English Language. 89 graduates obtained at least 6 distinctions in their results.”
Adebisi noted, “Distinction rates across key subjects include: Data Processing – 70%; Economics – 92%; Civic Education – 99%; General Mathematics – 75%; Agricultural Science – 99%; Biology – 95%; Chemistry-100%; Physics – 74%.”
The VARCE Executive Director stated that the achievement is especially remarkable as many of the girls could barely read or write when they joined the Hub in 2023.
Beyond academics, he disclosed that the graduates have also been equipped with 21st-century digital skills, stressing that “they can now code, develop applications, and design websites, positioning them for future careers in technology and innovation.”
He said the girls, most of whom are from humble homes, have been transformed into technological gurus and that even after their graduation, they would still be monitored and supported to get to the peak of their digital careers.
Already, Adebisi disclosed that 12 of the 96 graduating students have secured admission into Adeleke University, adding that the NGO is looking how it could partner with the university with a view to awarding university scholarship for the brilliant girls.
Adebisi posited, “Our girls are not just passing exams; they are rewriting their future. From struggling with basic literacy to excelling with multiple distinctions and now building apps and websites; this is the power of opportunity.
“At VARCE Girls’ Learning Hub, we are raising a generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
“The VARCE Girls’ Learning Hub, supported by the United Nations International School (UNIS) through the VARCE-UNIS Pathways Project, provided comprehensive support including digital literacy and coding, a school clinic, a creche for nursing mothers including teenage mothers, free lunch, transportation, and mentorship. These holistic interventions ensured that no girl was left behind.
“The graduation ceremony will convene community leaders, parents, education stakeholders, and development partners to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the girls and highlight the importance of continued investment in girl-child education and empowerment.”
He said that the hub would be enrolling 200 girls for the next phase of the cohort, expressing optimism of making it richer and better for the beneficiaries.
Unveiling the graduation event details, the girl-child right activist said the graduation activities, themed, “Rewriting Her Stories: From Lost Hopes to Limitless Possibilities,” will commence on Friday, 22 August 2025.
Others in the programme are:
- Learners’ Sign-Out & Reflections Monday, 25 August;
- 2025 Opening Ceremony & Panel Discussion on the theme: “Shifting Perceptions on Reintegration of Out-of-School Girls: Implications for Education Policy and Practice” – Tuesday, 26 August 2025; and
- Academic Tour & Movie Day Out and the grand finale and valedictory service and awards – Thursday, 28 August 2025.
Mr Dare Adeoye, the Coordinator of the Learning Hub, said no fewer than 50 of the girls would have become wayward or even married wrongly if the free education and digital opportunities did not come their ways.
On the selection process, Adeoye remarked that the vulnerable girls were found in environments in Osogbo and notable adjoining towns, adding that these disadvantaged girls who might have dropped out of school because their parents could not pay their school fees at their former schools were co-opted in the learning hub, thus providing second chance for the girls.
His words, “More than 50 of them would have married wrongly if not for this programme. Their parents don’t have the means to pay their school fees in their former schools. But now, the stories of these former out-of-school girls have changed for better through this transformative and humanitarian programme.”
In separate interviews with some of the graduating girls, the students recounted how they were selected for the two-year programme, saying they have learned a lot from computer knowledge, to coding and science.
Miss Olaniyi Oluwatoyin Precious could not hide her excitement as she described her experience as life-changing, saying, “I didn’t know that most of the things we use on this planet earth are programmed. I have seen what computers can actually do and I am indeed happy. I can code now and do a lot with technology. I created a farm firm website where there is admin and public and the public can produce order and the admin can upload the products.”
Also confessing that the VARCE Girls’ Learning Hub is a dream come true for her, Miss Hunjo Ebunoluwa, another graduating student, narrated, “I have always dreamt of becoming a programmer but I didn’t know what it is until I was privileged to be enrolled for this learning opportunity. I didn’t know how to use computers but now I can make use of php, data base and others. I am building a school management app currently where students and teachers have the same login in and sign up. Teachers can upload their results and students can check their grades. I am grateful to VARCE for impacting my life positively.”
VARCE is dedicated to building youth capacity and promoting social inclusion through innovative programmes which align with its mission of fostering sustainable human and community development.
