SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES $25M EDUCATION FUND TO BOOST ACCESS, LEARNING IN LAGOS
Read Time:2 Minute, 57 Second
By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Education Access Fund (LEAF), a strategic initiative designed to expand access to quality basic education and improve learning outcomes for children across the state.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu officially unveiled the programme at a high-level event held at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday, March 13, 2026, in the presence of government officials, development partners, education stakeholders, and members of the international community.
The initiative is being implemented through the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board in collaboration with the Education Outcomes Fund and other partners, as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive and equitable education in the state.
In his keynote address, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring every child in Lagos has access to free and quality basic education, describing education as a key driver of social mobility, human capital development, and economic growth.
READ MORE :
LAGOS MOVES TO TIGHTEN COSMETIC REGULATION AMID SAFETY CONCERNS
He disclosed that the initiative is backed by a $25 million outcomes-based education fund aimed at supporting 200,000 children across Lagos communities.
According to him, the programme will enrol up to 50,000 out-of-school children aged between six and 14 into formal education, while also improving foundational literacy and numeracy for 150,000 pupils currently in public schools.
The governor noted that the initiative builds on the progress of Project Zero, launched in 2021 to identify and reintegrate out-of-school children into classrooms, adding that over 36,000 children have already benefited from the intervention.
He said the programme aligns with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda, particularly the Education and Technology pillar focused on strengthening human capital and building a knowledge-driven society.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the role of community participation, revealing that over 360 parents and guardians have been trained in vocational skills such as fashion designing, catering, soap making, and hairdressing to support their children’s education.
He commended development partners, including the Education Outcomes Fund, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, for their support.
The governor also praised the leadership of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board for its dedication to advancing education reforms.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the Lagos Education Access Fund as a transformative initiative that would strengthen the state’s education system and improve access to quality learning.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Education Outcomes Fund, Dr. Amel Karboul, said the programme is designed to improve learning outcomes through a results-based financing model.
According to her, the initiative focuses on measurable outcomes such as enrolment, retention, and completion, shifting away from traditional funding methods that pay for inputs to a system that rewards verified results.
She added that data-driven technology and monitoring systems would be used to ensure that children are enrolled, retained, and effectively learning.
In her remarks, Ms. Eunice Ogolo of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation announced a $10 million contribution to the programme, stressing the urgency of addressing the challenge of out-of-school children.
She noted that children who are not in school or not learning effectively face limited future opportunities.
While commending Sanwo-Olu’s leadership for prioritising results-based interventions, she reaffirmed CIFF’s commitment to supporting a Lagos where every child achieves literacy, numeracy, and the opportunity to thrive.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0