Shettima Backs $5bn Global Push to Strengthen Education Financing

Shettima made the call on Wednesday, September 23, while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the “A New Era for Education Financing” high level event in New York, United States, held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event was co hosted by Nigeria, Italy and the GPE.

The Vice President said Nigeria was pursuing increased domestic investment in education while seeking international partnerships capable of expanding the resources available to developing countries. He stressed that external financing should complement, rather than replace, national investment.

Shettima cited Nigeria’s partnership with the World Bank and GPE through the HOPE-EDU programme, which is expected to reach about 29 million children and 500,000 teachers across the country. He also highlighted the administration’s efforts to expand access to higher, technical and foundational education.

President Tinubu, in a video message to the gathering, said the GPE campaign aligned with Nigeria’s agenda of improving educational outcomes through increased access and investment in teachers’ capacity. He also commended GPE stakeholders for their efforts to accelerate education financing globally.

The financing campaign received a boost from Italy, which pledged €50 million to GPE programmes and interventions, while governments and donors at the event made commitments aimed at supporting the education of at least 370 million children globally.