ABUJA — The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) says the $552.18 million World Bank-supported HOPE-EDU programme will reach 29 million children, 500,000 teachers, 65,000 public schools and 10,000 non-formal learning centres, and build 13,000 new classrooms. The Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, spoke at a two-day readiness meeting with chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards in Abuja. The programme became effective on February 27, 2026, and is results-based, meaning disbursements depend on states meeting set targets. The funds are split into $262.239 million for improving learning quality, $123.9 million for access and $133.611 million for strengthening systems. The access component targets the 15 states with the highest numbers of out-of-school children. Garba urged states to provide for first-year activities in their 2027 budgets.