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Nigeria , Kuwait Fund Partner To Revolutionize Education In Kaduna State
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 commended Lotus Capital’s leadership in promoting non-interest finance in Nigeria, emphasising that collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to mobilising sustainable, long-term capital for national development.
The Minister gave the commendation today in his office in Abuja when he received a high-level delegation from Lotus Capital Limited, led by its Managing Director Mrs. Hajara Adeola
The meeting explores ways of expanding Nigeria’s non-interest finance sector as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
Discussions further centred on how initiatives such as a Non-Interest Real Estate Investment Fund and a regular sovereign sukuk issuance programme could attract ethical investment into critical infrastructure, boost market liquidity, and widen access to finance for under-served communities.
The meeting underscores the Ministry’s commitment to exploring innovative financing solutions for Nigeria’s economic growth and development, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in driving progress in the non-interest finance sector.
The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has spotlighted innovation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic transformation, describing innovation as the *bedrock of productivity*
Delivering a keynote address at the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI) Demo Day 3.0, weekend,
the Minister emphasised that the country’s shift from potential to prosperity hinges on homegrown, scalable solutions led by its youthful population, over 65% of whom are under 30.
*Nigeria’s transformation must be built on ideas,* he declared, *driven by our youth and anchored in inclusivity.* For the private sector, the message was clear: Nigeria’s future growth will be fuelled by long-term investments in enterprise.
HM Edun reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking patient capital through mechanisms such as the N200 billion Presidential MSME Fund, streamlining regulation, and positioning government as an early adopter of tech-enabled solutions.
The Minister also announced upcoming policy tools—including National Innovation Hubs, Youth Innovation Trusts, and the mainstreaming of coding in basic education aimed at catalysing enterprise at scale. Commending the NSIA’s support for startups beyond infrastructure into sectors like health, digital learning, and agri-value chains, Edun noted that the Demo Day exemplified how a strong innovation pipeline is central to Nigeria’s post-oil, private-sector-led growth.
*Our prosperity lies in our people,* he concluded. *And the boldest ideas that will define Nigeria’s economic future are only just beginning.*
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.
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