Hope Ajayi 
Education Minister, Dr. Maruf Alausa speaks at a GPE education financing event in New York
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria has called for stronger international investment in education, saying domestic financing efforts must be matched by sustained support from development partners, philanthropies and the private sector.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s opening remarks at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Multiply Possibility financing campaign in New York.
Nigeria is co-hosting the campaign with Italy, as part of efforts to mobilise additional resources for education globally. The campaign is aimed at strengthening education systems and expanding learning opportunities for children and young people.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the minister’s Special Adviser on media and communication, Ikharo Attah, Alausa said Nigeria accepted the co-hosting role because of the importance of education and skills development to harnessing its young population and building resilient economies.
He said Nigeria’s international advocacy was being matched by domestic action aimed at expanding access to education, reducing cost barriers, strengthening skills development and using digital technology to improve the sector.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s domestic financing commitments for education through 2030, combining Federal Government expenditure projections with financing commitments at state level.
He said the approach reflected Nigeria’s federal structure and the need to mobilise resources for education across all levels of government.
According to Alausa, 50 GPE partner countries have collectively committed more than $400 billion in domestic education financing through 2030.
He said domestic investment alone, however, would not be enough to deliver sustainable improvements in education systems. “Domestic efforts must be matched by effective international support.”
Alausa urged governments, development partners, philanthropic organisations and private-sector investors to maintain the momentum around the Multiply Possibility campaign and support the forthcoming High-Level Financing Event.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Korede Abdullah 