NIGERIA AND ITALY JOIN FORCES IN MASSIVE $5BN GLOBAL EDUCATION FUNDING
Nigeria and Italy have strengthened their partnership in a major international campaign to mobilise US$5 billion for education through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with the initiative seeking to improve learning opportunities for children in developing countries.
The campaign, known as “Multiply Possibility,” was highlighted on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at a high-level event titled “A New Era for Education Financing” in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Nigeria and Italy are co-hosting the financing campaign.
The broader GPE plan is designed to mobilise $5 billion in replenishment funding and unlock an additional $10 billion in co-financing, supporting the transformation of education systems in 96 countries and improving education for approximately 750 million children.
Tinubu: Education Investment Aligns With Nigeria’s Priorities
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who participated through a video message, said the GPE campaign is consistent with Nigeria’s efforts to improve educational outcomes by expanding access to education and strengthening teachers’ capacity.
Representing the President at the New York event, Vice President Kashim Shettima described education as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future rather than simply an expenditure. He said quality education and relevant skills are essential if Nigeria is to turn its large and growing young population into an economic advantage.
Shettima also stressed that international financing should complement, rather than replace, domestic investment in education. He pointed to the need to combine government resources with development assistance, concessional financing, philanthropy and innovative funding mechanisms.
HOPE-EDU Programme
The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s partnership with the World Bank and GPE through the HOPE-EDU programme, which the government says is expected to reach approximately 29 million children and 500,000 teachers across the country.
The programme illustrates how international financing can be linked to national education priorities, particularly improving access, teacher development and learning outcomes.
Italy’s Commitment
Italy has also demonstrated its commitment to the campaign. At the New York event, the Italian government pledged €50 million for GPE programmes and interventions. Governments and other donors participating in the event made commitments aimed at supporting education for at least 370 million children globally.
The partnership between Nigeria and Italy has been developing throughout 2026. Earlier in May, both countries agreed to establish a working group to advance the GPE financing campaign, with the goal of mobilising the $5 billion and unlocking another $10 billion in domestic education financing by 2030.
Wider Global Impact
According to GPE’s financing framework, a fully funded campaign could contribute to major improvements in education systems, including more children entering school, improved learning outcomes, teacher training and the distribution of educational materials. The partnership also links education investment to wider goals such as poverty reduction, economic growth, employment, resilience and social stability.
For Nigeria, the initiative comes as the country continues to face significant challenges around access to quality education, teacher capacity and the need to equip young people with skills relevant to a changing economy.
The Nigeria-Italy partnership therefore places the country at the centre of an international effort to increase education financing, while the success of the campaign will depend on the commitments being mobilised, how funds are deployed and the effectiveness of national education systems in converting financing into improved learning outcomes.