The Nigerian Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, has unlocked $552 million in HOPE-EDU funding to accelerate and strengthen basic education reform nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, in a statement by the Director of Press of the ministry, Boriowo Folashade, said the programme aligns with and reinforces the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), supporting measurable and accountable sector-wide reforms anchored on transparency and results.
Alausa described the achievement as a defining moment in Nigeria’s education transformation journey.
“The unlocking of the $552 million HOPE-EDU funding in just 12 months represents the fastest activation of education financing of this scale in our history. It reflects clarity of vision, strong intergovernmental coordination, and our unwavering commitment to delivering measurable results for Nigerian children,” he said.
According to him, the initiative is in alignment with the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition education as a cornerstone of national development.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are demonstrating that reform can be decisive, accountable, and impactful. These resources will directly strengthen foundational learning, expand access, and reinforce system-wide accountability across participating states,” he said.
He explained that since 2022, federal allocation to education has increased by over 302 per cent, reflecting the administration’s sustained prioritisation of human capital development.
He stressed that in the 2026 fiscal year alone, ₦3.520 trillion has been allocated to the sector, the highest allocation to date, complemented by increased sub-national funding to address local priorities and implement targeted interventions.
He emphasised that the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme is a strategic, results-driven initiative co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education to improve foundational learning outcomes, expand equitable access to quality basic education, and strengthen institutional capacity and accountability across participating states.
“As a core component of the broader HOPE reform framework, HOPE-EDU complements HOPE-Governance and HOPE-Primary Health Care in tackling systemic challenges in policy development, public financial management, governance, and service delivery, with the overall aim of promoting efficiency, transparency, and improved performance in key social sectors,” he said.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring that these investments translate into tangible improvements in learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness, equitable access, and system accountability, thereby advancing Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy and securing a stronger future for every Nigerian child.