Nigeria's Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has urged for stronger international investment in education to complement domestic financing efforts. Speaking at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Multiply Possibility financing campaign in New York, Alausa emphasized the need for global partnerships to achieve lasting improvements in learning. He noted that over $400 billion has been committed by 50 countries to domestic education financing through 2030.
Alausa made the call while delivering Nigeria's opening remarks at the GPE Multiply Possibility financing campaign on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Nigeria is co-hosting the event with Italy. The minister highlighted Nigeria's domestic education financing commitments through 2030, which incorporate updated Federal Government expenditure projections and commitments by state governments.
According to Alausa, Nigeria's commitment to education and skills development is critical for harnessing the country's youthful population and building a resilient economy. He described GPE as an important platform for bringing governments and development partners together around nationally determined priorities. This, he said, would help countries translate commitments into stronger education systems and better outcomes for children.
Alausa noted that Nigeria's domestic financing commitments formed part of a wider push by GPE partner countries. He stated that 50 countries have collectively committed over $400 billion in domestic financing for education through 2030. The minister, however, emphasized that domestic financing and national leadership would need to be matched by effective international partnerships to achieve sustainable transformation of education systems.
The minister urged governments, development partners, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to sustain the momentum generated by the Multiply Possibility campaign. He also urged support for the forthcoming High-Level Financing Event. Alausa stated that the ultimate test would be whether political commitments and financial resources translated into measurable improvements in classrooms and greater opportunities for children and young people.
Alausa said Nigeria would continue reforms aimed at widening access to education, improving learning outcomes, and strengthening technical and vocational skills. He noted that harnessing digital technology was also a key part of the Federal Government's broader efforts to promote inclusive economic growth. Education, he said, was positioned as a major component of the administration's development agenda.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to working with international partners to strengthen the education system. He stated that this would equip young Nigerians with skills to participate productively in the economy. Key to this effort, according to Alausa, is the need for effective partnerships to support the country's education sector.
Key points
- Nigeria's Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, calls for stronger global investment in education.
- Over $400 billion has been committed by 50 countries to domestic education financing through 2030.
- Nigeria is co-hosting the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Multiply Possibility financing campaign with Italy.
