Susan Abayomi
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced plans to reach 29 million children through a $552.18 million World Bank-supported programme aimed at improving basic education and expanding access to learning across Nigeria.
The Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE-EDU) programme will also target 500,000 teachers, 65,000 public schools and 10,000 non-formal learning centres, with a focus on improving learning outcomes and reaching underserved communities.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, disclosed this at a two-day implementation readiness meeting with chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Abuja.
Garba stressed that access to programme funding would depend on participating states meeting agreed performance targets, urging state governments to provide the political backing, financial resources and institutional commitment required for successful implementation.
She noted that several first-year deliverables would depend on allocations in the states’ 2027 budgets.
“A lot of the deliverables for Year 1 will require provisions in the states’ 2027 budget,” she said.
According to her, the programme became effective on February 27, 2026, and has moved into its implementation phase.
She explained that HOPE-EDU would operate a results-based financing model, under which funds would be released based on the achievement of agreed targets and performance indicators.
Garba said the initiative was designed to improve learning outcomes, promote equitable access to basic education and strengthen governance and accountability across the sector.
She added that the programme would build on the existing Universal Basic Education initiative while complementing other government interventions aimed at improving governance and human capital development.
The UBEC chief identified three major areas of intervention: improving the quality of basic education, expanding access to learning and strengthening key education systems.
Of the programme’s funding, $262.239 million has been earmarked for improving education quality, while $123.9 million will support expanded access. Another $133.611 million has been allocated to strengthening key systems.
The education quality component is open to 33 states, with the possibility of extending participation to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, subject to participation in HOPE-GOV operations.
The access component targets 15 states with the highest populations of out-of-school children that also meet other eligibility requirements. Meanwhile, the systems-strengthening component is open to all 36 states and the FCT.
Garba said the programme would prioritise improved teaching practices, access to essential learning materials and better academic performance among pupils.
She highlighted the planned adoption of the Structured Pedagogy Programme to strengthen literacy and numeracy instruction in primary schools.
The UBEC executive secretary emphasised that achieving the programme’s objectives would require effective collaboration among state ministries of education, SUBEBs, Local Education Authorities, schools and School-Based Management Committees.
She urged SUBEB chairmen to brief their respective governors and other relevant authorities promptly on the programme’s requirements to secure the necessary policy direction, budgetary provisions and institutional support.
Earlier, the HOPE-EDU Programme Manager, Mr Olumayowa Aleshin, outlined the initiative’s funding arrangements, implementation targets and key milestones.
Aleshin explained that participating states would be required to meet specified performance targets and verification requirements before qualifying for the corresponding disbursements.
The programme is expected to support efforts to address persistent challenges in Nigeria’s basic education sector by improving teaching quality, expanding learning opportunities and strengthening accountability in the delivery of education services.
