Nigeria and Italy have strengthened cooperation around a Global Partnership for Education financing campaign seeking to mobilize $5 billion for education in developing countries.
President Bola Tinubu said the initiative was consistent with Nigeria’s education agenda, which focuses on widening access, improving learning outcomes and strengthening teacher capacity.
Tinubu made the intervention in a video message at a high-level event titled “A New Era for Education Financing” on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He commended the Global Partnership for Education and participating governments for efforts to expand education financing globally.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu at the event, said Nigeria viewed education as an investment in long-term economic growth, productivity and social stability rather than a marginal public expenditure.
Shettima said the administration had increased resources for education since 2023 while pursuing reforms in basic education financing, foundational learning, tertiary education and technical skills.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as part of the government’s effort to widen access to higher education and strengthen the connection between education, employment and enterprise.
According to the Vice President, Tinubu had also directed that liquid funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, once legally cleared and free of litigation, should be channelled to the education loan scheme.
He added that the Federal Executive Council had approved consideration of unclaimed dividends and dormant funds for the same purpose, subject to applicable legal requirements.
Shettima said Nigeria’s partnership with the World Bank and GPE through the HOPE-EDU programme was expected to reach about 29 million children and 500,000 teachers.
He argued that international support should complement, rather than replace, domestic education investment.
“The ambition before us is to mobilise US$5 billion for GPE and, through that investment, unlock additional financing for education in partner countries,” he said.
The Vice President urged governments and development partners to pursue what he described as smarter multilateralism, using scarce international resources to leverage larger pools of education financing.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a video presentation, praised Nigeria’s commitment to improving education outcomes and urged partners to deepen support for developing countries.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called for governments and international financial institutions to create the fiscal space needed to improve education outcomes, including stronger support for teachers.
GPE Board Chair and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said global education financing had become more urgent because of declining development assistance and widening funding gaps.
Girls’ education campaigner Malala Yousafzai also urged governments and multilateral institutions to increase resources for gender equality in education.
Italy pledged €50 million to GPE programmes and interventions at the event.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the UN General Assembly, outlining the country’s position on global institutional reform, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and international economic cooperation.
