By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal Government has secured a $25.35 million concessional loan from the Kuwait Fund to support Kaduna State’s efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
Part of a $62.8 million financing deal involving global partners, the funds will go into the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme, which aims to enroll over 100,000 children, build 102 climate-resilient schools, and rehabilitate 170 existing ones.
Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s focus on accountability and impact in social investment. Kaduna Governor Uba Sani confirmed the state has paid its $1 million counterpart fund and allocated 26% of its 2025 budget to education.
The programme prioritizes vulnerable children, including girls, those with disabilities, and displaced persons. Other contributors include the Islamic Development Bank, Global Partnership for Education, and Education Above All Foundation. Officials say the initiative could become a model for other states.
