Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has called for stronger international investment in education to expand access and improve opportunities for children and young people.
Alausa made the call 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 said Nigeria accepted the co-hosting role because of its belief that education and skills development are essential to harnessing the potential of young people and building a sustainable future.
He said the country’s international advocacy was being supported by efforts at home, including measures aimed at expanding access to education, reducing financial barriers, strengthening skills development and using digital technology to improve the education system.
Alausa also highlighted Nigeria’s education financing commitments through 2030, which bring together Federal Government spending projections and financing commitments from state governments.
According to him, the approach reflects Nigeria’s federal structure and the need to mobilise resources for education across different levels of government.
The minister said Nigeria’s efforts form part of a wider commitment among GPE partner countries. He noted that 50 countries have collectively committed more than $400 billion in domestic financing for education through 2030.
However, Alausa stressed that domestic financing and national leadership would need to be supported by international partnerships to achieve lasting improvements in education.
“Domestic efforts must be matched by effective international support,” the minister said.
He urged governments, development partners, philanthropic organisations and the private sector to maintain the momentum behind the Multiply Possibility campaign and support the forthcoming high-level financing event.
The GPE campaign is seeking to raise $5 billion and unlock an additional $10 billion in co-financing to support education systems serving about 750 million children across 96 countries. (tvcnews.tv)
Alausa said the focus should ultimately remain on turning financial commitments into measurable improvements in classrooms and better opportunities for children and young people.
