The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $25.35 million concessionary loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to address the persistent problem of out-of-school children in Kaduna State—a region with some of the country’s highest dropout rates.
This facility is part of a broader $62.8 million blended finance package involving multiple international development partners. The funds will support the “Reaching Out-of-School Children” programme, aimed at expanding access to inclusive and quality education, particularly for girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
According to a statement released by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the initiative is expected to enroll over 100,000 children, build or renovate more than 200 schools, and boost teacher capacity and learning conditions across underserved communities.
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, representing Minister of Finance Wale Edun. Uzoka-Anite emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and impact-driven investments in education.
“Every dollar must translate into measurable progress, especially in northern Nigeria where the out-of-school crisis is most severe,” Edun stated.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani lauded the initiative and reaffirmed the state’s dedication to education. He revealed that Kaduna had already fulfilled its $1 million counterpart funding, while allocating 26% of its 2025 budget to the education sector.
Under the new programme:
- 102 new climate-resilient schools will be constructed
- 170 existing schools and learning centers will be upgraded
- Special focus will be given to marginalised populations and remote communities
The Director-General of the Kuwait Fund, Dr. Wahid Al-Bahar, called the investment an “investment in hope,” emphasizing that success would be gauged not just by infrastructure, but by enrollment increases, improved learning outcomes, and community involvement.
Other partners involved in the financing structure include:
- Islamic Development Bank – $10.5m loan
- Global Partnership for Education – $15.45m grant
- Education Above All Foundation – $10m grant
- Save the Children International – $0.5m technical assistance
- Kaduna State – $1m counterpart fund
This landmark partnership is poised to reshape education access in Kaduna and could serve as a model for similar interventions across Nigeria.
