Jane Salihu
Nigeria has challenged the international community to move beyond pledges on education financing and ensure that increased investments translate into better classrooms, stronger skills and wider opportunities for children and young people.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s opening remarks at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Multiply Possibility financing campaign in New York, which Nigeria is co-hosting with Italy.
Alausa said Nigeria’s participation as co-host reflected the country’s belief that education and skills development are critical investments for harnessing its youthful population, building resilient economies and securing a sustainable future.
He said Nigeria was not limiting its advocacy to the international stage, noting that the Federal Government was also taking steps domestically to expand access to education, reduce cost barriers, strengthen skills development and deploy digital technology to improve the education system.
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s domestic financing commitments for education through 2030, covering updated Federal Government expenditure projections as well as financing commitments at the state level.
According to him, the approach recognises Nigeria’s federal structure and the need for all levels of government to mobilise resources towards education.
Alausa said Nigeria’s financing efforts formed part of a broader commitment by GPE partner countries, with 50 countries collectively committing more than $400 billion in domestic financing for education through 2030.
He, however, stressed that domestic financing alone would not be enough to achieve lasting transformation, arguing that national efforts must be supported by effective and sustained international partnerships.
The Minister described GPE as an important platform for bringing governments and development partners together around nationally determined priorities and helping countries convert their education ambitions into stronger systems and improved outcomes.
He urged governments, development partners, philanthropic organisations and private-sector actors to sustain the momentum generated by the Multiply Possibility campaign and support the forthcoming High-Level Financing Event.
Alausa said the real measure of the financing drive should ultimately be its impact on learners, stressing the need for political commitments and financial resources to produce measurable improvements in classrooms and meaningful opportunities for young people.
He said Nigeria would continue reforms aimed at widening access, improving learning and skills development and harnessing digital opportunities.
The Minister added that education would remain a central priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Federal Government working to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to a more prosperous and peaceful country.
