By Musa Ibrahim
As a mean to tackle Nigeria’s staggering education crisis, the federal government and Kaduna State have sealed a $62.8 million agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to support the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project.
The deal, described as a landmark partnership, marks Kuwait Fund’s first-ever intervention in Nigeria. Signed by Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Honourable Minister of State for Finance, and Dr. Waleed Al-Bahar, KFAED’s Director-General, the agreement targets some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable children – those left behind by poverty, displacement, and marginalisation.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who witnessed the signing, called the project “a historic step forward.” With over 18 million children out of school in Nigeria, the urgency to act, he said, could not be greater.
“This is not just another MoU. It is a lifeline for the future of our children. We are committed to implementing this project with discipline, transparency, and results,” Sen. Sani stated.
According to the federal government, the ROOSC initiative would see the construction of 102 climate-resilient schools and the rehabilitation of 170 existing learning centres across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas.
The goal is simple but powerful: provide inclusive, safe, and quality education for every child, especially girls, children with disabilities, and those displaced by conflict.
The Governor said that Kaduna State has already shown that it is ready. According to him, the state has fulfilled 100% of its counterpart funding commitment, signalling both political will and financial discipline. The government has also made education the centrepiece of its development agenda. Since May 2023, it has built 60 new secondary schools, constructed 700 classrooms, and renovated over 1,000 learning spaces. Tuition in state-owned tertiary institutions has been slashed by 50%, and three new vocational institutes have been opened to align with the federal government’s TVET drive.
“This project sits right within the heart of SDG 4, and we are proud to lead it from the front,” Gov. Sani said.
The ROOSC program is supported by a network of global education powerhouses: the Islamic Development Bank, Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All Foundation, UNICEF, and Save the Children International. Together, they aim to not just build schools, but transform lives.
The federal government, through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, pledged its full support to ensure the program’s success. According to Dr. Uzoka-Anite, “This agreement represents more than funding. It represents belief – belief in the power of education to rewrite stories and restore dignity.”
For KFAED, it is a first chapter in Nigeria. For Kaduna, it is another step in rewriting its educational narrative. And for thousands of children, it could be the long-awaited path back to the classroom.
