The Federal Government of Nigeria has released $552 million for the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme, aimed at accelerating basic education reform across the country.
According to Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative seeks to improve foundational learning, expand access to quality education, and strengthen education systems in participating states.
The programme aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), and Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa described its launch as a “defining moment in Nigeria’s education transformation.” He highlighted that the $552 million release marks the fastest activation of education financing of this scale in the country’s history, achieved in just 12 months.
“The unlocking of these funds reflects clarity of vision, strong intergovernmental coordination, and our commitment to delivering measurable results for Nigerian children,” Alausa said.
The minister also noted a significant increase in federal education allocations, which have risen by over 302% since 2022, with N3.52 trillion allocated for the 2026 fiscal year, the highest to date. Sub-national funding has also increased to address local priorities and targeted interventions.
The HOPE-EDU programme, co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education, is designed to:
- Improve foundational learning outcomes.
- Expand equitable access to quality basic education.
- Strengthen institutional capacity and system-wide accountability in participating states.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has emphasized that these reforms demonstrate decisive, accountable, and impactful leadership in human capital development, with resources directed at improving learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
