By Adeola Kunle
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has described Nigeria’s decision to co-host the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2026–2030 replenishment campaign alongside Italy as a significant demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education and the country’s renewed role in shaping global education priorities.
Alausa spoke in New York following the high-level event titled “Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing,” organised on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Minister said Nigeria’s participation reflected its determination to strengthen foundational education and contribute to improving learning opportunities in countries where educational needs remain significant.
“This is a great day for education, and also a great day for our country, Nigeria,” Alausa said, stressing that Nigeria’s co-hosting responsibility demonstrated the country’s readiness to contribute to education development beyond its own borders.
The GPE replenishment campaign is targeting US$5 billion to support education programmes in more than 100 low-income and lower-middle-income countries between 2026 and 2030.
The funds are expected to strengthen access to quality education, improve education systems, support foundational learning and enhance learning outcomes.
Alausa stressed that teachers would remain at the heart of the global and national education reform agenda, noting that lasting improvements in learning depend heavily on the capacity and effectiveness of teachers.
“Teachers are the ones that matter most as we build our education agenda in Nigeria,” the Minister stated.
He explained that Nigeria’s decision to co-host the replenishment campaign was not primarily motivated by the expectation of receiving more financial support from GPE.
According to him, Nigeria has received approximately US$800 million in GPE grant support since joining the partnership. However, the country accepted the co-hosting responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to education and help expand opportunities for children in countries where the need is greatest.
The Minister recalled that the previous GPE replenishment cycle reached almost 750 million children globally, underscoring the importance of continued international investment in education.
He disclosed that the GPE Board Chair and former President of Tanzania, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, approached President Tinubu in January 2025 to request Nigeria’s support in co-hosting the replenishment campaign with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Alausa said President Tinubu accepted the request and personally committed his time and political support to the initiative, demonstrating the importance his administration attaches to education and human-capital development.
“Nigeria is back on the centre stage. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands what leadership is all about,” he said.
The Minister added that the President’s involvement was not merely about what Nigeria could gain from the GPE partnership, but also about enabling the country to contribute meaningfully to education development across more than 100 countries.
Alausa expressed appreciation to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her partnership and commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his continued support for President Tinubu, the education sector and the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.
He also acknowledged the Vice President’s involvement in preparations for the replenishment campaign during the previous United Nations General Assembly.
The Minister welcomed the participation of governments and development partners from Europe, North America, the Gulf region, Australia and other parts of the world.
He noted that a number of participating partners had announced financial commitments that exceeded those recorded during the previous replenishment cycle.
In a video message delivered at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended GPE and its partners for their efforts to advance global education financing.
The President emphasised the need to expand access to quality education while strengthening teacher capacity as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes.
Representing the President at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima described education as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s economic future, productivity, prosperity and stability.
Shettima highlighted reforms being implemented by the Federal Government to improve education financing, strengthen foundational learning and widen access to tertiary and technical education.
He also stressed the importance of mobilising domestic resources while maintaining international partnerships and support for education.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended President Tinubu’s leadership and Nigeria’s commitment to improving educational outcomes.
She also called for stronger international cooperation and sustained investment in education across developing countries.
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, underscored the importance of national commitment to financing education.
She called for increased support from international financial institutions to help countries create the fiscal space required to invest in education, particularly teacher training and capacity development.
The GPE Board Chair, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, drew attention to the urgent need to accelerate education financing amid declining development assistance and a growing financing gap.
He advocated sustainable financing mechanisms capable of producing measurable improvements in education outcomes.
Education activist Malala Yousafzai also called for stronger international collaboration and increased investment in education, particularly efforts aimed at promoting gender equality and addressing the educational needs of girls in developing countries.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to education under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Alausa said Nigeria would continue to place teachers and learners at the centre of its education reforms.
He said the government would sustain efforts to expand access to quality education, improve learning outcomes and strengthen partnerships capable of building resilient education systems and creating greater opportunities for children in Nigeria and around the world.
Adeola Kunle
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