By Adeola Kunle
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has called for increased international investment in education, urging governments, development partners, philanthropic organisations and the private sector to complement countries’ domestic financing efforts with stronger and more effective global support.
Dr. Alausa made the appeal while delivering Nigeria’s opening remarks at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Multiply Possibility financing campaign in New York. Nigeria is co-hosting the campaign with Italy.
The Minister explained that Nigeria accepted the co-hosting responsibility because of its firm belief that education and skills development represent some of the most valuable investments a nation can make. He noted that such investments are particularly important for unlocking the potential of young people, strengthening economic resilience and creating the foundation for a sustainable future.
According to him, Nigeria’s advocacy for increased global investment in education is being supported by concrete measures at the domestic level. These include initiatives aimed at widening access to education, lowering financial barriers, improving skills development and deploying digitalisation to strengthen the education system.
Dr. Alausa said these interventions are also aligned with the broader efforts of the Federal Government to promote macro-fiscal stability and inclusive economic growth under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister further drew attention to Nigeria’s domestic financing commitments for education through 2030, which incorporate updated Federal Government expenditure projections alongside financing commitments at the state level.
He explained that the approach recognises the structure and scale of Nigeria’s federal system while demonstrating the commitment of governments at different levels to mobilising the resources required to advance education.
Dr. Alausa noted that Nigeria’s commitment is part of a broader effort by countries partnering with GPE. He disclosed that 50 partner countries have collectively pledged more than $400 billion in domestic financing for education through 2030.
While emphasising the importance of domestic resource mobilisation, the Minister said national efforts must be reinforced by effective international partnerships to achieve sustainable transformation across education systems.
He described GPE as a significant platform for bringing governments and development partners together around nationally defined priorities, while supporting countries in converting their education ambitions into stronger systems and improved outcomes for children.
The Minister consequently called on governments, development partners, philanthropic institutions and the private sector to maintain the momentum created by the Multiply Possibility campaign and lend their support to the forthcoming High-Level Financing Event.
He stressed that the ultimate objective should be to ensure that political commitments and financial resources produce tangible improvements in classrooms and create meaningful opportunities for children and young people.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to continue implementing reforms and strengthening partnerships aimed at improving the country’s education system and expanding opportunities for every child and young person.
He assured stakeholders that education would remain a major priority of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with continued efforts to expand access, improve learning and skills development, leverage digital opportunities and prepare learners to make meaningful contributions to a more prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.
Adeola Kunle
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