Basic Education: FG Unveils $552m Initiative
Last update: March 3, 2026
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Nigeria launches a $552 million HOPE-EDU programme for basic education reforms, expand access, and improve learning outcomes nationwide, co-financed by the World Bank and Global Partnership for Education.
The Federal Ministry of Education has launched a $552 million HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme, aimed at accelerating reforms in Nigeria’s basic education sector and improving learning outcomes nationwide.
The programme, announced in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, is designed to enhance foundational learning, expand access to quality education, and strengthen education systems across participating states.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and is structured to deliver measurable, transparent, and results-driven reforms.
Speaking on the programme, Alausa said, “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 tangible results for Nigerian children.”
He further said that federal allocation to the education sector had increased by over 302 per cent since 2022, with N3.520 trillion earmarked for the 2026 fiscal year - the highest allocation to date. He noted that this federal funding would be complemented by increased investment at sub-national levels to support local priorities and targeted interventions.
“The resources under this initiative will directly strengthen foundational learning, expand equitable access, and reinforce system-wide accountability across participating states,” Alausa said, adding that the programme is co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education.
CBI News reports that the statement also outlined that HOPE-EDU is intended to improve institutional capacity, enhance transparency in education financing, and ensure that children in Nigeria have access to quality learning environments.
