The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $25.35 million concessionary loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support a major education initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in Kaduna State.
The loan, signed on behalf of the Kaduna State Government, is part of a larger $62.8 million blended financing package involving multiple international development partners. The programme is designed to expand access to quality and inclusive education in one of Nigeria’s most affected regions.
In a statement issued Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, the funding will support the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme— a large-scale intervention targeting vulnerable groups, including girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
“In a significant step toward improving access to quality education in Nigeria, the Federal Government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development have partnered to support the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme in Kaduna State,” the statement read.
The facility will finance the construction and rehabilitation of educational infrastructure, strengthen teaching capacity, and enhance the learning environment in underserved communities. The initiative aims to enroll over 100,000 children, build or upgrade more than 200 schools, and prioritize inclusion for marginalized groups.
Representing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at the signing was Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite. She emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and results-driven social investments.
“With millions of children still out of school—especially in northern Nigeria—every dollar must yield real, measurable progress,” she said.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite commended Kaduna State’s proactive leadership and its collaborative efforts with development partners, expressing hope that the programme could serve as a model for replication in other states.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed the state’s prioritization of education, revealing that the government had already fulfilled its counterpart funding requirement of $1 million. He added that education now commands 26% of Kaduna’s 2025 budget, reflecting the state’s strong focus on human capital development.
Under the programme, 102 new climate-resilient schools will be constructed, while 170 existing schools and learning centres will be rehabilitated. Special emphasis will be placed on hard-to-reach communities and marginalized populations.
Director-General of the Kuwait Fund, Dr. Wahid Al-Bahar, described the initiative as an “investment in hope,” noting that success will be measured by improved enrollment, better learning outcomes, and strong community involvement.
In addition to the Kuwait Fund’s loan, other contributors to the financing package include:
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Islamic Development Bank—$10.5 million loan
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Global Partnership for Education—$15.45million grant
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Education Above All Foundation—$10million grant
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Save the Children International – $500,000 in technical assistance
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Kaduna State Government – $1 million counterpart funding
The Federal Ministry of Finance will oversee fiduciary processes and coordinate performance reporting in collaboration with Kaduna State and other partners. Joint assessments will be conducted regularly to track enrollment, teacher training, and student performance, ensuring the programme delivers sustainable impact.
