Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi)

Through GGE 2.0, AREAi is working to ensure that education financing decisions are informed by evidence, responsive to girls’ needs and increasingly accountable to the communities they are intended to serve.

This was a central focus of the validation exercise we convened with government representatives, education stakeholders, civil society organisations and community actors across Oyo state to critically examine three interconnected research outputs: Gender-Responsive Education Public Expenditure Review (GREdPER), Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) and Underfunded Education Priorities and Populations, but we did more than present these research outcomes. We put the evidence through a participatory validation process.

Stakeholders worked in three technical groups to scrutinise the underlying budget figures and data sources, interrogate gender and inclusion findings, and assess the feasibility of proposed policy recommendations and institutional responsibilities.

Each group presented its observations for plenary reconciliation, providing an opportunity to identify amendments, clarify disputed findings, establish areas of consensus, document outstanding evidence requirements and ensure the research was not only analytically grounded but also informed by institutional knowledge and the practical realities of education financing in Oyo State.

Importantly, we are excited these discussions culminated into identifying priority actions for the 2027 education budget, including responsible institutions, implementation timelines and the support required to advance agreed recommendations.

#GettingGirlsEqual #AREAi #GenderResponsiveBudgeting #PublicAccountability #OyoState