FG Urges States to Access $552m HOPE Fund, Deepen Data-Driven Education Reforms

FG Urges States to Access $552m HOPE Fund, Deepen Data-Driven Education Reforms

The Federal Government has urged state governments to accelerate education reforms by leveraging the US$552 million World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme, saying stronger federal-state collaboration, reliable education data and bold leadership are critical to improving learning outcomes across Nigeria.

Speaking at the Executive Retreat for Honourable Commissioners of Education, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the government was prioritising evidence-based planning and sustainable reforms to strengthen the country’s education system.

He said the deployment of the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS) would enable governments to generate reliable education data, improve planning, strengthen accountability and allocate resources more efficiently across the sector.

According to the minister, accurate and timely data is essential for effective policymaking and for ensuring that education investments deliver measurable improvements in teaching and learning outcomes.

Alausa also encouraged participating states to complete the necessary implementation requirements to benefit from the World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme, which provides performance-based financing to improve education governance, teacher quality and learning outcomes.

He noted that the programme offers participating states an opportunity to accelerate reforms while strengthening accountability and service delivery across the education sector.

The minister reaffirmed that the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) remains the Federal Government’s flagship education reform framework, with priorities centred on expanding foundational learning, strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, advancing digital learning and ensuring sustainable financing for education.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to work with state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to build an inclusive, resilient and globally competitive education system capable of equipping Nigerian learners with the knowledge and skills required for national development.