By Muhammad Mamman
In a landmark move to combat Nigeria’s education crisis, the Federal Government has signed a $62.8 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), launching the transformative Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) initiative in Kaduna State. This agreement, the Kuwait Fund’s first venture in Nigeria, marks a pivotal step toward ensuring inclusive education for millions.
The MoU, formalized by Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Hon. Minister of State for Finance, and H.E. Dr. Waleed Al-Bahar, Director General of KFAED, was celebrated by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani as a “game-changer” for education. “This partnership is a bold stride toward dismantling barriers to learning and empowering our children,” Sani declared, emphasizing the state’s unwavering commitment to education as a cornerstone of development.
Kaduna State has prioritized education, allocating 25% of its 2024 budget and 26.14% in 2025 to the sector. Since May 2023, the administration has constructed 60 new secondary schools, built 700 classrooms, renovated 1,049 others, slashed tertiary tuition fees by 50%, and established three cutting-edge vocational institutes aligned with federal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) goals.
The ROOSC initiative, designed with global partners like the Islamic Development Bank, UNICEF, and Save the Children, targets Nigeria’s staggering 18 million out-of-school children. It will deliver 102 climate-resilient schools and rehabilitate 170 learning centers across Kaduna’s 23 Local Government Areas, prioritizing safe, inclusive environments for girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced children.
Kaduna has fulfilled 100% of its counterpart funding, ensuring the project’s robust implementation. “This is a community-driven solution aligned with SDG 4, ensuring no child is left behind,” Governor Sani stated, extending gratitude to partners including the Global Partnership for Education and the Education Above All Foundation.
