In a major push to combat the out-of-school crisis in northern Nigeria, the Federal Government has secured a $25.35 million concessionary loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support a large-scale education initiative in Kaduna State.
The loan is a key component of a broader $62.8 million blended financing package aimed at expanding access to inclusive and quality education in underserved and vulnerable communities.
The financing will support the Reaching Out-of-School Children Programme, which is expected to directly benefit over 100,000 children, including girls, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and children with disabilities.
The funding was secured by the Federal Government on behalf of Kaduna State, and the announcement was made through a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, the programme is designed to address systemic education barriers by constructing 102 new climate-resilient schools, rehabilitating 170 existing schools and learning centres, and improving teacher capacity and learning environments across the state.
At the signing ceremony, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, described the initiative as a strategic investment that reflects the government’s commitment to delivering measurable and transparent social investments.
With millions of Nigerian children still out of school — particularly in the northern region — Edun stressed the importance of ensuring that every dollar invested yields tangible results.
He also praised Kaduna State for its timely fulfilment of counterpart funding and for setting a strong example in educational prioritisation.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to transforming the education sector, revealing that the state has allocated 26% of its 2025 budget to education.
He added that Kaduna had already contributed $1 million toward the programme.
Director-General of the Kuwait Fund, Dr. Wahid Al-Bahar, described the programme as “an investment in hope,” noting that its success would be evaluated not just by infrastructure development but also by improvements in school enrolment, learning outcomes, and active community involvement.
Other contributors to the total financing package include:
Islamic Development Bank – $10.5 million loan
Global Partnership for Education – $15.45 million grant
Education Above All Foundation – $10 million grant
Save the Children International – $0.5 million in technical assistance
Kaduna State Government – $1 million contribution
The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children in Kaduna and potentially serve as a model for similar interventions in other Nigerian states.
