The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $25.35 million loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to combat the growing out-of-school children crisis in Kaduna State, one of the worst-affected regions in the country.
The Federal Government has signed a $25.35 million loan agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The funding is specifically earmarked for tackling the out-of-school children crisis in Kaduna State, where thousands of children remain excluded from formal education due to poverty, insecurity, and poor infrastructure.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and is aimed at supporting inclusive and equitable access to quality basic education in underserved communities across Kaduna. The loan will be used to rehabilitate schools, provide learning materials, train teachers, and implement education programs targeting vulnerable groups such as girls and children in rural areas.
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Officials say the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to human capital development and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education as a tool for national transformation. The program is expected to help reduce the alarming number of out-of-school children in Kaduna currently estimated to be over 700,000 and improve literacy rates in the state.
The Kuwait Fund, which has been a long-term partner in Nigeria’s development, stated that the loan will be disbursed under favorable terms, with a low interest rate and a long repayment period. The organization expressed confidence that the project will make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s education sector.
Stakeholders have welcomed the move, calling it a timely intervention to tackle one of the most pressing developmental challenges in northern Nigeria. Civil society organizations have also urged the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation process to maximize the impact of the funds.
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