The Federal Government has unlocked $552 million in funding under the HOPE-EDU programme to accelerate basic education reforms across the country.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026, by Folasade Boriowo, Head, Press and Public Relations.
Announcing the development on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Education said the funding marks a major step in advancing foundational learning, expanding access to quality basic education, and strengthening education systems in participating states.
The initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and is designed to support measurable, transparent, and results-driven reforms across the sector.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the release of the funds as a defining moment in the country’s education transformation agenda.
According to him, unlocking the $552 million within 12 months represents the fastest activation of education financing of such scale in Nigeria’s history.
“It reflects clarity of vision, strong intergovernmental coordination, and our unwavering commitment to delivering measurable results for Nigerian children,” the minister said.
He added that under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the administration is demonstrating that reform can be decisive, accountable, and impactful.
“These resources will directly strengthen foundational learning, expand access, and reinforce system-wide accountability across participating states,” Alausa stated.
The ministry disclosed that federal allocation to education has risen by over 302 percent since 2022, underscoring the administration’s focus on human capital development. In the 2026 fiscal year, ₦3.520 trillion was allocated to the sector — the highest on record — alongside increased sub-national funding to address local priorities and targeted interventions.
The HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme is co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education.
It aims to improve foundational learning outcomes, expand equitable access to quality education, and strengthen institutional capacity and accountability in participating states.
As part of the broader HOPE reform framework, HOPE-EDU complements HOPE-Governance and HOPE-Primary Health Care in addressing systemic challenges in public financial management, policy development, governance, and service delivery.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the funds translate into tangible improvements in learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness, equitable access, and accountability, positioning Nigeria for a stronger transition to a knowledge-driven economy.