By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed commitment to reform through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), targeting improved access, quality, governance and sustainable financing.
At a high-level engagement in Lagos, Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, said NESRI would reposition the sector for global competitiveness and inclusive growth.
He outlined six priorities, including expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education nationwide.
Alausa said efforts would also aggressively reduce out-of-school children and strengthen data systems, digitalisation, quality assurance and governance through collaboration with states, businesses and civil society.
He noted Nigeria’s partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) could unlock up to 500 million dollars to support foundational learning and reduce learning poverty.
The minister highlighted a financing model where every dollar raised by the private sector is matched by GPE, effectively doubling resources for education.
“Every dollar mobilised by the private sector is matched one-for-one by GPE, doubling available resources for impactful education interventions,” he said.
According to him, if businesses raise 10 million dollars, GPE will match it, enabling access to 20 million dollars for interventions.
Alausa described the model as a significant opportunity, noting many private stakeholders were only recently aware of its multiplier potential.
He added that Nigeria’s access would depend on outcomes of GPE’s Replenishment Summit in Rome in June 2026, targeting five billion dollars.
“If successful, GPE will allocate Nigeria a funding envelope that determines the maximum leverage through the matching mechanism.
“This presents a major opportunity for the private sector to play a catalytic role in advancing education and unlocking resources at scale,” he said.
He said over one million out-of-school children had returned to classrooms, supported by investments in infrastructure, teacher development and digital tracking platforms.
“Education remains the highest-return investment. We are committed to ensuring every child accesses quality education through sustained reforms and partnerships,” he said.
Alausa stressed private sector investment as critical, introducing a sector-wide approach aligning funding, removing silos and strengthening collaboration across institutions.
He said the model would ensure strong governance, transparency and measurable outcomes, with annual joint reviews supported by the World Bank and GPE.
Earlier, Minister of State for Education Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, convened stakeholders to deepen dialogue on strengthening Nigeria’s education system.
Speaking at the inaugural CEO Breakfast Convening, Ahmad said shared responsibility was essential to achieving sustainable national growth through education reforms.
She commended private partners and development organisations, noting their presence reflected a collective commitment to strengthening education across all levels.
“This meeting is timely, as no nation can achieve sustainable growth without a strong, inclusive and forward-looking education system,” she said.
She said the ministry was deepening engagement to encourage innovative partnerships and collaborative solutions to accelerate sector transformation.
Ahmad underscored the role of GPE grants in supporting policy implementation, inclusive collaboration and measurable outcomes nationwide.
She said NESRI aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision, placing human capital development at the centre of national progress.
According to her, NESRI is already yielding results, with renewed policy momentum and growing private sector interest in education investment.
She stressed government cannot transform education alone, urging businesses to drive innovation, expand infrastructure and produce globally competitive graduates.
Ahmad called for collaboration in digital learning, skills development and financing, assuring an enabling environment for transparency and accountability.
GPE envoy and former Senegalese minister, Serigne Thiam, highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in global education collaboration and long-standing partnership with GPE.
“Nigeria is co-hosting the 2026 Multiplier Education Summit, demonstrating leadership in building strong partnerships and prioritising education,” he said.
Zenith Bank Chairman, Jim Ovia, said the dialogue signalled a new era of collaboration between government and business leaders in education.
“We are creating conditions for smarter investment by ensuring accountability and measurable impact across Nigeria’s education system,” Ovia said.
NESRI reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive reform, leveraging partnerships, innovation and financing to improve learning outcomes and strengthen governance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
