FG, Private Sector Move to Unlock Education Financing Through New Partnership Framework

The Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE) has strengthened its push for sustainable education financing by convening a high-level roundtable with private sector stakeholders in Lagos, aimed at unlocking investments and improving outcomes across Nigeria’s education system.

The meeting, held on March 24, 2026, brought together 32 representatives from leading organisations spanning technology, finance, energy, construction, development partners, and academia. Key participants included Google, MTN Foundation, Sterling Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Group, Africa Finance Corporation, Sahara Group, Oando Group, Seplat Energy, Airtel Africa Foundation, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, among others.

In his presentation, the Minister of Education highlighted the progress made under the “Renewed Hope in Action” agenda over the past 17 months, particularly in areas of policy reforms, strategic goals, and enabling factors such as data, digitisation, and partnerships.

Stakeholders at the meeting emphasised the urgent need for increased private sector investment in education, especially in skills development, to complement government funding and expand access for children and youth. Representatives of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) stressed that such investments are critical to unlocking additional funding through its multiplier mechanism.

Development partners, including the British and Italian High Commissions, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education sector, particularly through domestic financing initiatives tied to the GPE framework.

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, presented Nigeria’s education investment case, outlining gaps in basic education and the need for coordinated funding strategies.

A major outcome of the roundtable was the proposal to establish a Council on Public-Private Investment in Education, led by the government, to ensure policy consistency, clarity in targets, and alignment between public and private sector efforts. Participants noted that such a structure would enhance accountability and improve the effectiveness of education financing.

The Airtel Africa Foundation announced a series of commitments, including sponsoring digital curriculum deployment in primary schools, providing zero-rated data for teacher development, and delivering internet connectivity to at least two schools in every state.

As part of next steps, the Minister unveiled a follow-up engagement plan, which includes mobilising private sector champions for GPE replenishment, launching crowdfunding initiatives for education, and setting up a Public-Private Education Technical Working Group (TWG).

The TWG, to be co-chaired by the Minister and Minister of State for Education, will include top industry leaders such as Omoboyede Olusanya of Flour Mills, Kola Adesina of Sahara Group, Olumide Balogun of Google Africa, Sumaila Zubairu of Africa Finance Corporation, and Olusegun Ogunsanya of Airtel Africa Foundation.

The group is tasked with developing a comprehensive framework to guide public-private partnerships in education, focusing on governance, policy alignment, and measurable outcomes.

According to the Ministry, the framework will address longstanding challenges in education financing, ensure better coordination among stakeholders, and promote accountability in delivering quality education across the country.

The communiqué was issued on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education on March 24, 2026, in Abuja.