FG Unveils Five World Bank-Backed Programmes, Targets 30 Million Pupils, 500,000 Teachers

The Federal Government has launched five World Bank-backed flagship programmes aimed at accelerating human capital development, with education taking centre stage as a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the launch held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the initiatives underscore the administration’s commitment to translating economic reforms into tangible improvements in education, healthcare, social protection, governance and economic opportunities.

The President reaffirmed that education remains fundamental to national development, declaring that no country can rise above the quality of its education and stressing that the Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described education as Nigeria’s most strategic investment, announcing that the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme will receive about $552.18 million in funding from the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

According to the minister, the programme will directly benefit nearly 30 million children, provide professional development for 500,000 public primary school teachers, and improve teaching and learning in more than 65,000 public primary schools across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He explained that HOPE-EDU is designed to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, improve teacher quality, expand access to quality basic education and enhance education management systems through a results-based financing model that rewards measurable improvements in learning outcomes.

Alausa said the initiative would also strengthen education data systems, improve accountability, support evidence-based planning and ensure more efficient allocation of resources across the sector.

He stressed that investments in education, nutrition and skills development are essential for economic growth, describing teachers as the foundation of nation-building and urging implementing partners to maximise the programme’s resources to deliver improved learning outcomes.

Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, pledged the commitment of all 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to work with the Federal Government, the World Bank and development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the programmes.

He said accountability, institutional strengthening and improved service delivery would be critical to achieving inclusive growth and sustainable national development while commending the World Bank for its continued support for Nigeria’s development priorities.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the NG-CARES, SOLID and HOPE programmes as complementary interventions that provide an integrated strategy for tackling poverty, strengthening resilience and accelerating human capital development.

Bagudu emphasised that effective coordination among all levels of government, transparency and prudent management of resources would be crucial to ensuring the programmes deliver meaningful benefits to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking on behalf of the World Bank Group, Mr. Mathew Verghis commended the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development, saying the programmes are designed to strengthen social protection, improve education and healthcare outcomes, expand economic opportunities and support vulnerable communities.

He noted that the interventions complement Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and reflect strong collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, local governments and development partners in addressing poverty and rising living costs.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to providing policy leadership, effective coordination and oversight for the successful implementation of the HOPE-EDU programme, describing it as one of the country’s most significant investments in children, teachers, schools and the future workforce.