Nigeria Seeks $500M from Global Education Fund for Reforms

The Federal Government of Nigeria is seeking an additional $500 million from the $11.5 billion Global Education Fund to bolster its educational reforms. Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, disclosed this during a breakfast meeting in Lagos with leaders from the private sector and development partners.

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) aims to raise $11.5 billion to support educational initiatives across 80 countries, presenting a significant opportunity for Nigeria to enhance its educational landscape. Alausa reported that over the past year, 1.1 million children have been reintegrated into classrooms, marking a significant milestone.

However, he acknowledged that approximately 15 million children remain out of school, particularly in the northeastern and northwestern regions. The minister emphasized the urgent need to address educational infrastructure deficits, as many children drop out when transitioning from primary to junior secondary education.

The government has earmarked ₦100 billion for constructing new student hostels across tertiary institutions to improve learning conditions.