Education Minister Tunji Alausa says Nigeria’s co-hosting of the Global Partnership for Education event under President Bola Tinubu has strengthened the country’s role in global education leadership.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has described Nigeria’s co-hosting of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2026–2030 replenishment campaign with Italy as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to education and Nigeria’s renewed role in advancing global education priorities.

Speaking in New York after the “Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing” high-level event held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Alausa said Nigeria’s participation reflected the country’s determination to strengthen foundational education where the need is greatest.

“This is a great day for education, and also a great day for our country, Nigeria,” the Minister said, adding that the co-hosting role demonstrated Nigeria’s willingness to support education beyond its borders.

The GPE replenishment campaign is seeking to mobilise US$5 billion for education in more than 100 low-income and lower-middle-income countries for 2026–2030. The financing will support access to quality education, stronger education systems, foundational learning and improved educational outcomes.

Alausa said teachers would remain central to these efforts, stressing that sustainable education reform depends on strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of those delivering learning.

“Teachers are the ones that matter most as we build our education agenda in Nigeria,” the Minister said.

He noted that Nigeria’s decision to co-host the replenishment campaign was not primarily driven by the prospect of attracting additional funding.

Although Nigeria has received approximately US$800 million in GPE grant support since joining the partnership, he said the country accepted the responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to education and contribute to expanding learning opportunities for children in countries where the need is greatest.

According to Alausa, the previous GPE replenishment cycle impacted almost 750 million children globally, underscoring the importance of sustained international investment in education.

(L-R)Deputy Secretary General, United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed, Vice-President Kashim Shettima; President, Global Partnership for Education, Mr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Antonio Tajani and Education Activist, Ms Malala Yousafzai at the High Level Education event jointly hosted by Nigeria and Italy for Global Partnership for Education Financing on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. 

He recalled that GPE Board Chair and former President of Tanzania, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, approached President Tinubu in January 2025 to seek Nigeria’s support to co-host the replenishment campaign with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Alausa said President Tinubu accepted the invitation and committed his personal time and political support to the initiative, reflecting the priority attached to education and human-capital development.

“Nigeria is back on the centre stage. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands what leadership is all about,” he said, adding that the President’s engagement was not simply about what Nigeria could receive from GPE, but about positioning the country to contribute to education efforts across more than 100 countries.

Alausa commended Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her partnership and thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima for his consistent support for President Tinubu, education and the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

He also noted the Vice President’s participation in preparations for the replenishment campaign during the previous United Nations General Assembly.

The Minister welcomed the participation of governments and development partners from Europe, North America, the Gulf region, Australia and other parts of the world.

He noted that several partners had announced commitments higher than those made during the previous replenishment cycle.

In a video message, President Bola Tinubu commended GPE and its partners for advancing the global education financing agenda, stressing the importance of expanding access to quality education and strengthening teacher capacity to improve learning outcomes.

Representing the President at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima described education as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, productivity, prosperity and stability. He highlighted Federal Government reforms aimed at strengthening education financing, expanding foundational learning and improving access to tertiary and technical education, while emphasising the importance of domestic resources alongside international support.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended President Tinubu’s leadership and Nigeria’s commitment to improving educational outcomes, while calling for stronger international support and sustained investment in education in developing countries.

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, emphasised the importance of national commitment to education financing and called for greater support from international financial institutions to help countries create the fiscal space needed to invest in education, including teacher training and capacity building.

GPE Board Chair, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, stressed the urgency of accelerating education financing amid declining development assistance and a widening financing gap, calling for sustainable financing systems capable of delivering measurable education outcomes.

Education activist Malala Yousafzai called for stronger collaboration and increased investment in education, particularly in advancing gender equality and meeting the educational needs of girls in developing countries.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to education under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister said Nigeria would continue to prioritise teachers, learners, access to quality education and improved learning outcomes, while deepening partnerships that strengthen education systems and expand opportunities for children in Nigeria and beyond.