The Federal Government has reaffirmed that education remains the cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as it officially launched five flagship World Bank-backed programmes aimed at accelerating human capital development, reducing poverty, strengthening healthcare, improving governance and expanding economic opportunities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, represented by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said the programmes 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.
Reaffirming that education remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, the President declared that “No nation can rise above the quality of its education,” adding that “real prosperity means no Nigerian will be left behind.”
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described education as Nigeria’s greatest investment, noting that 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). He said the programme will strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, improve teaching quality, expand access to quality basic education and enhance education management systems across the country.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that the programme 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 explained that the programme, which covers all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, operates on a results-based financing model that rewards measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
According to him, the initiative will reduce learning poverty, strengthen teacher effectiveness, improve accountability through robust education data systems and support evidence-based planning, effective resource allocation and stronger monitoring across the education sector.
The Minister emphasized that every investment in education, nutrition and skills development contributes directly to economic growth and national prosperity. He described teachers as the bedrock of nation-building and urged all implementing partners to maximise the resources, systems and institutional support provided under the programme to deliver measurable improvements in learning outcomes for every Nigerian child.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed the commitment of the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to working closely with the Federal Government, the World Bank and other development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the programmes.
He stressed that sustained accountability, institutional strengthening and improved service delivery remain essential to achieving inclusive growth and long-term national development.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued confidence in Nigeria, noting that collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments and development partners has strengthened social protection, improved governance, supported agriculture and enhanced public service delivery across the country.
The Honourable 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 framework for tackling poverty, strengthening resilience and accelerating human capital development.
He said the success of the initiatives will depend on effective coordination among all tiers of government, transparency, accountability and prudent management of resources to ensure that the intended benefits reach 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, noting that the programmes were carefully designed to strengthen social protection, expand economic opportunities, improve education and health outcomes, and support vulnerable communities across the country.
He observed 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, the rising cost of living and other socio-economic challenges.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to providing strong policy leadership, effective coordination and sustained oversight for the successful implementation of the HOPE-EDU programme.
The Ministry noted that the initiative represents one of the most significant investments in Nigeria’s children, teachers, schools and future workforce and will play a pivotal role in building the skilled human capital required to drive sustainable economic growth and national prosperity in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
