The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) says the 552.18 million dollar World Bank-supported Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity in Education (HOPE-EDU) programme will target 29 million children, 500,000 teachers, 65,000 public schools and 10,000 non-formal learning centres across Nigeria.
The programme also plans to construct 13,000 new classrooms to improve learning outcomes, expand access to quality basic education and strengthen service delivery nationwide.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, disclosed this at a two-day meeting with chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards on implementation readiness for the programme in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the commission on Wednesday, Garba urged state governments to demonstrate the political will and financial commitment required to achieve the programme’s objectives.
She said HOPE-EDU became effective on February 27, 2026, and had entered its implementation phase.
Garba explained that the Federal Government initiative, supported by the World Bank, adopts a results-based financing model, with disbursements tied to the achievement of agreed targets and performance indicators.
She said the programme was designed to improve learning outcomes, promote equitable access to basic education and strengthen governance and accountability in the education sector.
According to her, HOPE-EDU builds on the implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme while complementing other government interventions in governance and primary healthcare.
Garba said the programme was structured around three result areas: improving the quality of basic education, expanding access and strengthening key systems.
She disclosed that 262.239 million dollars had been allocated to improving education quality, 123.9 million dollars to expanding access, and 133.611 million dollars to strengthening key systems.
The UBEC executive secretary added that the first result area was open to 33 states, with the possibility of extending participation to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, subject to their participation in the HOPE-GOV operations
