Kaduna, Nigeria – February 20, 2025 – Former Nigerian presidential candidate and Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his commitment to education by donating a total of ₦20 million to support critical educational initiatives in Kaduna State. The announcement came during his recent visit to two Islamic schools – the Kawo Al-Majiri School and the Mohammed Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute – highlighting his ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s educational challenges, particularly in the northern region.
At the Kawo Al-Majiri School, where he had previously donated ₦15 million, Obi inspected ongoing projects, including the construction of a borehole and toilet facilities. Impressed by the progress and the addition of a mosque to the school’s development plans, he made an additional donation of ₦5 million, bringing his total contribution to the school to ₦20 million.
“I remain committed to supporting every effort that ensures our children – who are the future – receive quality education, empowering them with knowledge and opportunity,” Obi stated in his post, accompanied by images of him engaging with students, teachers, and community leaders at the schools.
The Kawo Al-Majiri School is part of Nigeria’s traditional Al-Majiri education system, a centuries-old Islamic learning model prevalent in Northern Nigeria. While historically providing skills such as farming, masonry, and Quranic education, the system has faced criticism for contributing to widespread poverty and leaving many children out of formal schooling. With an estimated 20 million Nigerian children currently out of school—many in the north—Obi’s donations align with broader efforts to reform and strengthen educational access in the region.
During his visit to the Mohammed Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute, Obi was inspired by the institution’s dedication to learning and pledged future support, though specific amounts were not disclosed. His actions reflect a consistent focus on education, as evidenced by his recent statement in October 2024, when he revealed donating over ₦200 million in a single week to educational causes across Nigeria.
Obi’s efforts come amid growing national and international attention to Nigeria’s education crisis. The Nigerian government, in partnership with initiatives like the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Global Partnership for Education, has committed to reducing the number of out-of-school children through subsidies, literacy programs, and infrastructure development. In 2024, the Global Partnership for Education allocated $5 million to Nigeria for the 2024-2025 period to support access to quality education, a goal Obi’s contributions directly support.
Education advocates hailed Obi’s donations as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s educational disparities, particularly in the North, where poverty, insecurity, and cultural factors have historically hindered school attendance. “Peter Obi’s commitment shows what can be achieved when leaders prioritize education,” said a local education activist in Kaduna, who spoke anonymously.
As Nigeria works toward its goal of universal basic education by 2030, Obi’s contributions to the Al-Majiri schools in Kaduna serve as a model for private-sector involvement in tackling one of the country’s most pressing challenges. “A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi concluded in his post, signaling his unwavering dedication to empowering the nation’s youth through education.
Education advocates hailed Obi’s donations as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s educational disparities, particularly in the North, where poverty, insecurity, and cultural factors have historically hindered school attendance. “Peter Obi’s commitment shows what can be achieved when leaders prioritize education,” said a local education activist in Kaduna, who spoke anonymously.
As Nigeria works toward its goal of universal basic education by 2030, Obi’s contributions to the Al-Majiri schools in Kaduna serve as a model for private-sector involvement in tackling one of the country’s most pressing challenges.