FG signs $62.8m MOU with Kuwait fund for Arab Economic Development to support Out-of-school Children in Kaduna

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

The Federal Government of Nigeria has entered into a $62.8 million Memorandum of Understanding with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to support the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) initiative in Kaduna State.

The Governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani, announced in a statement that the agreement signifies the first initiative by the Kuwait Fund in Nigeria, marking an important advancement in a mission to broaden educational access in the state.

He said, “I had the honour of witnessing the signing of a $62.8 million Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Finance, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) for the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project in Kaduna State. This historic agreement marks Kuwait Fund’s first intervention in Nigeria and represents a significant step forward in our efforts to expand access to education.

“The Hon. Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, signed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance, while H.E. Dr. Waleed Al-Bahar, the Director General, signed on behalf of the Kuwait Fund.
“Since May 29, 2023, our administration has made education a cornerstone of development. In 2024, we allocated 25% of Kaduna State’s budget to education, rising to 26.14% in 2025. We have built 60 new secondary schools, constructed 700 classrooms, renovated over 1,049 classrooms, reduced tuition in state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%, and established three modern vocational institutes aligned with the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agenda.

“With over 18 million children still out of school in Nigeria, the ROOSC project provides a timely, community-driven response aligned with SDG 4. Developed with local and international partners, it seeks to eliminate barriers to education and reintegrate marginalized children into the formal system”, the statement added.

“Kaduna State has met 100% of its counterpart funding obligation. The project will deliver 102 climate-resilient schools and rehabilitate 170 learning centres across all 23 LGAs, focusing on school safety, inclusive learning environments, and the reintegration of girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced children.

Acknowledging the partners involved in the initiative, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State noted: “We thank our esteemed partners who have made this initiative possible, namely; the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Islamic Development Bank, Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All Foundation, Save the Children International, UNICEF. I also thank the Hon. Minister of Finance, the Hon. Minister of State for Finance and the Hon. Minister of Educationfor their support. Kaduna remains fully committed to transparent, accountable implementation as we work to ensure quality education for every child.”