Nigeria Co-Hosts $5bn GPE Drive to Expand Global Education Access

Nigeria has joined Italy as co-host of the Global Partnership for Education(GPE), 2026–2030 replenishment campaign, which seeks to raise $5 billion to support education in more than 100 low-income and lower-middle-income countries.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, described Nigeria’s participation as a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education and human capital development.

He spoke in New York after the high-level event, titled “Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing,” held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Alausa, Nigeria’s involvement goes beyond attracting financial support for its own education sector, as the country also seeks to contribute to efforts aimed at expanding learning opportunities for children in countries facing major education challenges.

“This is a great day for education, and also a great day for our country, Nigeria,” the minister declared.

The GPE campaign is targeting $5 billion in fresh funding between 2026 and 2030. The resources are expected to help participating countries strengthen their education systems, improve foundational learning and widen access to quality education.

Alausa stressed that teachers would remain central to achieving those objectives, particularly as countries seek to improve learning outcomes and build stronger education systems.

“Teachers are the ones that matter most as we build our education agenda in Nigeria,” he noted.

Nigeria has received about $800 million in GPE grant support since joining the partnership. Alausa, however, explained that the country’s decision to co-host the new campaign was not driven solely by the prospect of securing additional funding.

Rather, he maintained that Nigeria wanted to demonstrate its willingness to support education initiatives beyond its own borders and contribute to efforts addressing the global education financing gap.

The previous GPE replenishment cycle, he recalled, had reached almost 750 million children globally, underscoring the scale of what international cooperation can achieve in the sector.

Tinubu backs global education campaign

The minister traced Nigeria’s role in the campaign to January 2025, when GPE Board Chair and former Tanzanian President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, approached President Tinubu to seek Nigeria’s support for the initiative.

Kikwete had asked Nigeria to co-host the replenishment campaign alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Alausa explained that Tinubu accepted the proposal and committed his time and political support to the initiative.

“Nigeria is back on the centre stage. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands what leadership is all about,” Alausa stated.

He linked the President’s involvement to the priority his administration has placed on education and human capital development, while also commending Meloni for her partnership in advancing the campaign.

Alausa equally acknowledged the support of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other members of the Federal Government’s education team. Shettima, he noted, had participated in preparations for the replenishment campaign during the previous United Nations General Assembly.

International partners commit support

The event brought together governments and development partners from Europe, North America, the Gulf region and Australia. Alausa welcomed their participation, noting that several partners announced commitments that exceeded their contributions during the previous replenishment cycle.

In a video message, President Tinubu commended GPE and its partners for advancing the global education financing campaign. He also stressed the importance of expanding access to quality education and strengthening teacher capacity.

Representing the President at the event, Shettima described education as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, linking stronger investment in the sector to productivity, prosperity and national stability. He highlighted Federal Government reforms focused on education financing and foundational learning, alongside measures designed to expand access to tertiary and technical education.

The Vice-President further emphasised that domestic resources must complement international assistance if countries are to achieve sustainable education financing.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also commended Tinubu’s leadership and Nigeria’s commitment to improving educational outcomes, while calling for stronger international support for education in developing countries.

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, urged governments to strengthen their commitment to education financing and called for greater support from international financial institutions to create fiscal space for education. Such resources, she noted, could also support teacher training and capacity building.

Kikwete drew attention to the widening education financing gap amid declining development assistance and called for sustainable financing systems capable of delivering measurable improvements in learning outcomes.

Education activist Malala Yousafzai, meanwhile, urged governments and development partners to strengthen collaboration and investment in education, with particular attention to gender equality and opportunities for girls.

Alausa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to prioritising teachers, learners and quality education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also pledged to deepen partnerships aimed at strengthening education systems and expanding opportunities for children in Nigeria and other countries facing significant education challenges.

The minister maintained that Nigeria’s co-hosting role reflects its willingness to contribute to the broader global effort to improve access to quality education and strengthen the systems needed to deliver it.