Jane Salihu
Nigeria’s co-hosting of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2026–2030 replenishment campaign with Italy is positioning the country to play a broader role in shaping global education priorities, particularly in countries facing significant learning and financing gaps.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria accepted the co-hosting responsibility not merely to attract additional funding, but to support education development in more than 100 low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
Alausa spoke in New York after the high-level event, “Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing,” held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The GPE replenishment campaign is seeking to mobilise $5 billion for education programmes between 2026 and 2030, with the funds expected to support access to quality education, foundational learning, stronger education systems and improved learning outcomes.
The Minister said Nigeria’s role as co-host reflected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emphasis on education and human-capital development, noting that the country had accepted an opportunity to contribute to education efforts beyond its borders.
“This is a great day for education, and also a great day for our country, Nigeria,” Alausa said, stressing that teachers would remain central to the success of education reforms.
“Teachers are the ones that matter most as we build our education agenda in Nigeria,” he added.
Alausa noted that Nigeria had received approximately $800 million in GPE grant support since joining the partnership but said the country’s decision to co-host the new replenishment campaign was not primarily motivated by the prospect of securing additional funding.
He recalled that GPE Board Chair and former Tanzanian President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, approached President Tinubu in January 2025 to seek Nigeria’s support for the campaign, which the President agreed to co-host with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
According to the Minister, Tinubu’s acceptance of the role and personal engagement demonstrated the importance attached to education and human-capital development by the administration.
Alausa also highlighted the global reach of GPE, noting that the previous replenishment cycle impacted almost 750 million children and that the current campaign seeks to mobilise resources for education in more than 100 countries.
He commended Meloni for her partnership and Vice President Kashim Shettima for his support for the President and the Federal Government’s education agenda.
The event also featured contributions from President Tinubu, who, in a video message, called for expanded access to quality education and stronger teacher capacity, while Vice President Shettima described education as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, productivity, prosperity and stability.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, called for stronger international financial support to enable countries to create the fiscal space required to invest in education, including teacher training and capacity development.
GPE Board Chair Kikwete also warned of the widening education financing gap amid declining development assistance, urging countries and development partners to build sustainable financing systems capable of delivering measurable results.
Education advocate Malala Yousafzai called for increased investment in education, with particular attention to gender equality and the educational needs of girls in developing countries.
Alausa said Nigeria would continue to prioritise teachers, learners, access to quality education and improved learning outcomes while strengthening partnerships aimed at expanding educational opportunities within Nigeria and beyond.
