Nigeria Co-Hosts Global Education Funding Drive With Italy

Nigeria’s co-hosting of the Global Partnership for Education’s 2026–2030 replenishment campaign with Italy demonstrates the country’s renewed role in global education policy, Education Minister Tunji Alausa said. Speaking in New York after a high-level event held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, Alausa said Nigeria was participating because it wanted to strengthen foundational education and support countries where the need was greatest. The campaign is seeking to mobilise $5 billion for more than 100 low-income and lower-middle-income countries.

The proposed financing will support access to quality education, stronger education systems, foundational learning and improved outcomes. Alausa said teachers would be central to those efforts, arguing that sustainable reform depends on improving the capacity and effectiveness of educators. He said Nigeria’s decision to co-host was not primarily motivated by the prospect of attracting additional grants.

Nigeria has received about $800 million in GPE support since joining the partnership, he said, but accepted the role to demonstrate its commitment to education and help expand opportunities for children internationally. President Bola Tinubu, in a video message, backed the campaign and highlighted the importance of widening access and strengthening teacher capacity. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing Tinubu at the event, described education as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, productivity, prosperity and stability.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Nigeria’s commitment, while UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called for stronger national financing and greater support from international financial institutions. GPE Board Chair Jakaya Kikwete urged sustainable funding as development assistance declines, and education activist Malala Yousafzai called for greater investment, particularly in girls’ education.