Nigeria has joined Italy as co-host of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2026–2030 replenishment campaign, which seeks to mobilise $5 billion to support education in more than 100 low- and lower middle income countries.
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria’s role in the campaign demonstrated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education and the country’s renewed role in advancing global education priorities.
Alausa spoke in New York after the high l level “Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing” event held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
He said Nigeria’s participation reflected the government’s determination to strengthen foundational education, particularly in countries where the need is greatest.
“This is a great day for education, and also a great day for our country, Nigeria,” the minister said.
The $5 billion GPE campaign is aimed at financing access to quality education, stronger education systems, foundational learning and improved educational outcomes between 2026 and 2030.
Alausa said teachers would remain central to education reforms, stressing that sustainable improvements in learning outcomes depended on strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of teachers.
“Teachers are the ones that matter most as we build our education agenda in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister said Nigeria’s decision to co-host the campaign was not primarily motivated by the prospect of securing additional funding.
He noted that Nigeria had received about $800 million in GPE grants since joining the partnership, but said the country accepted the co-hosting responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to education and help expand learning opportunities for children in countries facing significant educational challenges.
According to Alausa, the previous GPE replenishment cycle benefited nearly 750 million children globally, underscoring the importance of sustained international investment in education.
He said GPE Board Chair and former Tanzanian President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, approached President Tinubu in January 2025 to seek Nigeria’s support for co-hosting the replenishment campaign with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Alausa said President Tinubu accepted the invitation and committed his time and political support to the initiative.
He said the President’s involvement reflected the importance attached to education and human capital development by the administration.
Representing President Tinubu at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima described education as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, productivity, prosperity and stability.
Shettima highlighted Federal Government reforms aimed at improving education financing, expanding foundational learning and increasing access to tertiary and technical education.
He also stressed the importance of mobilising domestic resources alongside international support to finance education.
In a video message, President Tinubu commended GPE and its partners for advancing the global education financing agenda and stressed the need to expand access to quality education and strengthen teacher capacity to improve learning outcomes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended Nigeria’s commitment to improving educational outcomes and called for stronger international support and sustained investment in education in developing countries.
UN Deputy Secretary General, Dr Amina Mohammed, called for greater commitment to education financing by national governments and increased support from international financial institutions to help countries create the fiscal space needed to invest in education, including teacher training and capacity building.
Kikwete warned of the urgency of increasing education financing amid declining development assistance and a widening funding gap.
He called for sustainable financing systems capable of delivering measurable education outcomes.
Education activist Malala Yousafzai also called for stronger collaboration and increased investment in education, particularly to advance gender equality and address the educational needs of girls in developing countries.
The minister said Nigeria would continue to prioritise teachers, learners, access to quality education and improved learning outcomes under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that the country would deepen partnerships aimed at strengthening education systems and expanding educational opportunities for children in Nigeria and beyond.
