Lagos, Nigeria– Oando PLC, Africa’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider, through its independent charity, Oando Foundation, participated in a high-level private sector round table convened by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME). This event, supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), an international organization dedicated to ensuring quality education for children, particularly in developing countries, aimed to strengthen private-sector engagement in advancing Nigeria’s education priorities.
The roundtable provided a strategic platform for direct engagement between senior government officials and private sector leaders, enabling the Ministry to clearly articulate its education priorities, delivery frameworks, and critical funding and execution gaps. It also marked a shift from dialogue to action with the establishment of a formal public-private working group tasked with mobilising resources, shaping policy, and driving coordinated private sector participation in the delivery of national education objectives.
Oando Foundation has been appointed to this working group, reinforcing its role as a key private-sector partner in education. This builds on the Foundation’s leadership within the Private Sector Advisory Group Nigeria (PSAG), where it leads the Education Cluster, coordinating private sector engagement and aligning interventions with government priorities to drive systemic impact.
In his remarks at the round table, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, (FAMedS) CON, emphasised the importance of structured private sector collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s education challenges, highlighting the need for aligned investment, clearer policy coordination, and innovative financing approaches to sustainably deliver on national education goals.
Speaking on the significance of the engagement, Wale Tinubu CON Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, stated: “Engaging the private sector is not merely beneficial; it is critical for unlocking transformative and sustainable educational outcomes on a national scale. This roundtable showcases the potential that arises when government and business unite for a common cause: investing in our youth and nurturing the human capital essential for Nigeria's advancement. Through Oando Foundation’s strategic efforts and our active role in the working group, we are laying the groundwork for smarter investments, greater accountability, and tangible impacts in education across the country."
Commenting on Oando Foundation’s participation, Tonia Uduimoh, Head, Oando Foundation, said,“This engagement marks a critical step in strengthening alignment between government priorities and private sector action. As the implementation vehicle for Oando Plc’s social investment in education, Oando Foundation remains committed to supporting coordinated, system-level interventions that improve access, quality, and learning outcomes. Our inclusion in the working group reflects both our long-standing commitment to the sector and our readiness to contribute meaningfully to the delivery of national education priorities.”
Nigeria faces pressing educational challenges, with an estimated 14.8 million children currently out of school. Even more concerning is the fact that nearly two-thirds of enrolled students struggle to read age-appropriate texts,revealing a serious foundational learning crisis. However, recent reforms aimed at boosting the allocation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) demonstrate a heightened government commitment to basic education funding. This presents a crucial opportunity for the private sector to leverage its capital and expertise, effectively complementing public investments on a larger scale.
Against this backdrop, the newly established working group is expected to play a central role in translating policy into action, ensuring that private sector contributions are effectively aligned with national priorities and channelled toward high-impact interventions. Its focus will include reducing fragmentation, improving accountability, and unlocking sustainable financing mechanisms to support long-term system transformation.
Since its inception in 2011, Oando Foundation has directly impacted over 1 million beneficiaries across 324 public primary schools in 24 states, through a holistic, whole-school development approach focused on improving learning environments, strengthening teacher capacity, and enhancing student outcomes.Its current strategy, LEARNOVATE, prioritises foundational literacy and numeracy, climate-conscious education, and sector-wide advocacy to drive sustainable impact.
The roundtable forms part of the Federal Ministry of Education’s broader efforts to mobilise private sector participation in education financing and delivery,ensuring that national priorities are supported by coordinated investment and scalable partnerships.
Oando Foundation remains committed to driving impactful, sustainable interventions that contribute to an inclusive and resilient education system in Nigeria.
