Nigeria Launches $552M Initiative for Basic Education Reform

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a $552 million education reform program named "Hope Education," targeting the improvement of basic education for 29 million children and the empowerment of 500,000 teachers. The program was disclosed by Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), during a workshop in Ikeja, Lagos.

The initiative aims to construct 13,000 classrooms and bring millions of school children back to school nationwide. It is part of a partnership with the World Bank and is designed to enhance the quality of basic education through improved learning outcomes.

The program will be implemented in phases, with the first phase covering the South-South and South-East regions, and future phases planned for the North-Central, North-West, and North-East regions. The initiative officially became effective on February 27, 2026, and emphasizes the importance of stakeholder participation, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups such as girls and children with special needs.