Lagos Launches $25m Education Fund to Reintegrate 50,000 Out-of-School Children

By Staff Reporter

The Lagos State Government has launched a $25 million Education Access Fund to enrol 50,000 out-of-school children in formal education, as part of renewed efforts to address learning poverty and social exclusion across the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the initiative on Tuesday, describing it as a strategic investment in human capital and long-term development. According to the government, the programme will also support improved learning outcomes for an additional 150,000 pupils already enrolled in public schools.

The fund is expected to provide school infrastructure, learning materials, teacher support, and community-based interventions targeted at vulnerable children, particularly those in densely populated and low-income areas of the state.

Education experts have welcomed the move, noting that Lagos has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria due to poverty, migration, and informal labour. Stakeholders say the success of the programme will depend on effective monitoring, community engagement, and sustained funding.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that no child is denied access to education, describing the initiative as critical to reducing crime, unemployment, and social inequality in the long term.