Kuwait Fund backs Kaduna education with $25m

Barbara Bako, Abuja.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a $25.35 million concessionary loan agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to improve access to education for out-of-school children in Kaduna State.…

The funding is part of a $62.8 million blended package involving international development partners to support inclusive, quality education for vulnerable children.

Speaking at the signing in Abuja, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said: “This partnership is about compassion, equity and the power of education. With millions of children still out of school… every dollar must translate into real change.”

Kuwait Fund Director-General, Dr. Wahid Al-Bahar, said the project would benefit over 100,000 children and improve more than 200 schools.

“This is more than infrastructure… The Kuwait Fund is proud to support this effort,” he noted.

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Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, confirmed the state had paid its counterpart funding.

“Education is the cornerstone of our transformation agenda… This is about restoring dignity and opportunity to every child,” he said.

The programme will focus on school construction, rehabilitation, teacher training, and re-enrolment of out-of-school children, with special focus on girls, children with disabilities, and the displaced.

Other partners include the Islamic Development Bank, Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All Foundation, Save the Children, and the Kaduna State Government.

The Ministry of Finance will oversee implementation and reporting in collaboration with partners.