In a significant step towards improving access to quality education in Nigeria, the Federal Government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development have partnered to support the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme in Kaduna State.

 This partnership is built on a US$25.35 million concessionary loan agreement signed today between the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of Kaduna State and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

The facility forms part of a wider US$62.8 million blended package with international partners that will expand access to quality, inclusive education and improve learning outcomes for some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.

 Speaking at the event which held in his office in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, stated that the programme reflects Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability and results in social investment.

 Represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Finance Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister emphasised that *this partnership is about compassion, equity and the power of education. With millions of children still out of school, especially in the North, every dollar must translate into real change for the children and communities we serve. Kaduna State’s leadership and the strong engagement of our development partners give us confidence that this initiative will become a model for other states,* he said.

Director-General of the Kuwait Fund, Dr Wahid Al-Bahar, described the project as an investment in hope. *This is more than infrastructure. By enrolling over 100,000 children, building or upgrading more than 200 schools, and empowering thousands of teachers, we are helping to ensure that no child is left behind. The Kuwait Fund is proud to support this effort and looks forward to deepening our cooperation with Nigeria,* Dr Al-Bahar noted.

The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, reaffirmed the State’s prioritisation of education and announced that Kaduna has provided its counterpart contribution in full. *Education is the cornerstone of our transformation agenda. In 2025, we increased the education share of our budget to 26 percent. Under this programme, we will construct 102 new climate-resilient schools and rehabilitate or upgrade 170 existing schools and learning centres, with a focus on girls, children with disabilities and internally displaced children. This is about restoring dignity and opportunity to every child,* the Governor assured.

The programme will focus on the construction of new, climate-resilient schools and rehabilitation of existing facilities across hard-to-reach communities, re-enrolment of out-of-school children into safe, inclusive and quality learning environments, teacher development to strengthen pedagogy and improve learning outcomes, and community-based solutions that lower barriers to attendance and completion, particularly for girls and children with disabilities.

The financing partners and indicative contributions include Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development with a US$25.35 million concessionary loan, Islamic Development Bank with US$10.5 million, Global Partnership for Education with a US$15.45 million grant, Education Above All Foundation with a US$10 million grant, Save the Children International with a US$0.5 million technical assistance grant, and Kaduna State Government with a US$1 million counterpart funding. The total programme envelope is US$62.8 million.

The Federal Ministry of Finance will oversee fiduciary assurance and results reporting in close collaboration with Kaduna State and participating partners. Regular joint reviews will track enrolment, teacher training and learning gains to ensure measurable impact.

This partnership marks a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to revolutionize education and provide opportunities for millions of out-of-school children in the State. With the combined efforts of the Federal Government, Kaduna State, and international partners, Nigeria is set to create a brighter future for its next generation.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has reaffirmed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration’s commitment to leveraging the private sector as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

 The Minister gave the assurance today in his office in Abuja when he received a high-level delegation from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), on a courtesy visit led by the Director General Mr. Sola Obadimu

The meeting discussed strategic collaboration on Nigeria’s economic reform programme, with a focus on correcting long-standing structural distortions to build a more resilient and inclusive economy. HM Edun highlighted recent progress in strengthening the Naira, attracting diaspora and domestic capital, as well as reducing import dependence through increased local production.

Speaking earlier, the Director General NACCIMA, Mr. Obadimu commended key reforms of the present administration, notably the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of the exchange rate, while calling for deeper engagement on tax clarity, access to trade finance for MSMEs, and better alignment between policy timelines and implementation.

Both parties affirmed that sustained economic transformation will depend on effective public-private partnership, placing the private sector at the centre of Nigeria’s long-term growth strategy. They also discussed NACCIMA’s upcoming 65th Annual Conference and Investment Summit, themed *Harnessing Private Sector Potential to Achieve a One Trillion Dollar Economy by 2030.*

The meeting underscores the administration’s commitment to private sector-led economic growth and development. As Nigeria continues to navigate its economic challenges, the collaboration between the government and private sector stakeholders will be crucial in driving sustainable growth and development.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has inaugurated the newly appointed Directors of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in his office in Abuja on Friday 

The new leadership, led by Managing Director Dr Thompson Olu Dare Sunday and Executive Director Dr Ibrahim Sabokatata, was appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s macroeconomic reform agenda.

The NDIC, established to protect depositors and uphold confidence in the banking system, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s drive to boost investment, deepen financial inclusion and maintain systemic stability. With increased coverage limits now set at ₦5 million for deposit money banks and ₦2 million for microfinance institutions, the Corporation is positioned to support domestic capital mobilisation and strengthen the financial ecosystem for the private sector.

*Domestic savings are the engine of sustainable investment. A trusted and stable financial system, anchored by institutions like the NDIC, is essential to lifting millions out of poverty and driving Nigeria’s transition to a $1 trillion economy,* said Mr Edun.

Speaking earlier,  the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite,  described the NDIC as *a cornerstone of public trust in the banking system*, emphasising its renewed mandate under the 2023 Act.

Mr Sunday pledged the board’s commitment to national development, stating, *We will deliver on our responsibilities and play our part in achieving the President’s $1 trillion economic vision.*

In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, praised the seamless leadership transition and affirmed the ministry’s full support for the new board’s efforts to entrench sound governance and protect public interest.

This inauguration reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening financial institutions and creating an enabling environment for enterprise and inclusive growth.