ABUJA — The Federal Government has reaffirmed that education remains the cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as it launched five flagship World Bank-backed programmes to accelerate human capital development across Nigeria.
The programmes were unveiled on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the initiatives demonstrate the administration’s commitment to translating economic reforms into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians through strategic investments in education, healthcare, social protection and institutional development.
”No nation can rise above the quality of its education,” the President said. “Real prosperity means no Nigerian will be left behind.”
$552m for Basic Education
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, said the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity for Quality Basic Education for All, HOPE-EDU, programme represents a transformative investment of approximately $552.18 million, jointly funded by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education, GPE.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that HOPE-EDU will directly benefit nearly 30 million children, support the professional development of 500,000 public primary school teachers, and improve teaching and learning in more than 65,000 public primary schools and their School-Based Management Committees nationwide.
He said the programme, which covers all 36 states and the FCT, operates on a results-based financing model that rewards measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
According to him, the initiative will strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, improve teaching quality, expand access to quality basic education, enhance education management systems, reduce learning poverty, and support evidence-based planning and monitoring.
”Every investment in education, nutrition and skills development contributes directly to economic growth and national prosperity,” Dr. Alausa said. “Teachers are the bedrock of nation-building.”
Governors, World Bank Back Initiative
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed the commitment of the 36 state governments and the FCT to work with the Federal Government, the World Bank and other partners to ensure successful implementation.
He stressed that accountability, institutional strengthening and improved service delivery remain essential to achieving inclusive growth.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described NG-CARES, SOLID and HOPE programmes as complementary interventions to tackle poverty and strengthen resilience.
Speaking for the World Bank Group, Mr. Mathew Verghis commended the Federal Government’s commitment, noting that the programmes were designed to strengthen social protection, expand economic opportunities, improve education and health outcomes, and support vulnerable communities.
The Federal Ministry of Education said it will provide policy leadership and oversight for HOPE-EDU, describing it as one of the most significant investments in Nigeria’s children, teachers, schools and future workforce.
