The Federal Government has intensified efforts to accelerate education reforms by urging all 36 state governments to fulfil the conditions required to access the $552 million World Bank-backed HOPE Education Programme, a major intervention aimed at transforming learning outcomes and strengthening education governance nationwide.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the directive on Monday while declaring open a five-day executive retreat for State Commissioners of Education organised by the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN) in Abuja.
Alausa explained that states must complete critical pre-disbursement requirements, including signing Subsidiary Loan Agreements (SLAs), opening designated programme accounts and submitting credible education data, to qualify for the performance-based financing initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Despite all states being eligible to participate, the minister noted that several have yet to meet the programme’s requirements, warning that delays could hinder access to the intervention funds.
“We expect every state to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank to meet the Programme-for-Results conditions and unlock the resources available for education reform,” he said.
As part of the Federal Government’s drive towards data-driven decision-making, Alausa unveiled the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), describing them as strategic platforms for improving planning, accountability and resource allocation across the education sector.
He said the integrated systems would provide real-time information on school enrolment, teacher deployment, infrastructure and learning outcomes, enabling governments to make evidence-based policy decisions rather than relying on estimates.
The minister urged state governments to complete their annual school census through the digital platform, while commending Kaduna and Borno states for making notable progress in education data management.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), is expanding access to digital learning technologies and teacher support tools across basic and secondary education, cautioning states against investing in expensive smart school projects without sustainable maintenance plans.
Representing the World Bank, Senior Economist and HOPE Programme Task Team Leader, Mr. Shin Nomura, confirmed that the programme became effective in March 2026 and urged states to conclude all outstanding preparatory processes to facilitate timely disbursement. Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, meanwhile, challenged education commissioners to champion reforms driven by reliable data, policy continuity and sustained investment in teachers, stressing that lasting transformation depends on institutions rather than political administrations.
