The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has said Nigeria’s decision to co-host the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2026–2030 replenishment campaign with Italy demonstrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education and global education development.
Alausa stated this in New York after the high-level “Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing” event held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser (Media and Communications), the minister said the campaign seeks to raise $5 billion to support education in more than 100 low- and lower-middle-income countries between 2026 and 2030.
He said the funds would support foundational learning, stronger education systems, teacher development and improved learning outcomes.
Alausa said Nigeria accepted the co-hosting role not simply to attract funding, noting that the country had already received about $800 million in GPE grants, but to demonstrate its commitment to expanding access to quality education globally.
He recalled that GPE Board Chair and former Tanzanian President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, approached President Tinubu in January 2025 to co-host the campaign with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The minister said President Tinubu’s acceptance reflected the importance his administration places on education and human capital development.
President Tinubu, in a video message, called for increased investment in quality education and teacher capacity, while Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the event, described education as critical to Nigeria’s economic growth, productivity and stability.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and GPE Board Chair Kikwete also called for increased and sustainable financing to bridge the global education funding gap.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to teachers, learners, access to quality education and improved learning outcomes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
