GPE: 50% increase in education budget in two years – Buhari pledged
Victoria Ogunrinde
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to increase the education budget by 50 per cent in the next two years.
Buhari while speaking at the Global Education Summit in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday said “I would like to reiterate the commitment of the Government of Nigeria to ensure that total education spending increases by 50% over the next two years and up to 100% within the next five years (2021 – 2025).
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“We also undertake to work with, and ensure that every State in our Federation progresses towards or maintains spending levels above 20% of their total budget to achieve national minimum standards for education outcomes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit is being co-hosted by the Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson and the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.
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It seeks to give opportunity for leaders to make five-year pledges to support GPE’s work to help transform education system in up to 90 countries and territories.
NAN reports that Heads of State from the GPE partner countries including Mr Buhari are expected to brainstorm on the way forward for transforming education.
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The leaders would also be deliberating on innovative solutions and global commitment to new ways of working to address core challenges to gender equality and transforming education for girls.
Other African leaders expected to participate fully in the summit include: Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana; Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya; Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.