UK government expands education support in Southwest Nigeria with the launch of PLANE programme

The UK Government, through the British High Commission, has launched the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme in Lagos, marking the beginning of its operations in Southwest Nigeria. The launch, which took place on Thursday, 19th September 2024, was held in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the SEED Care and Support Foundation.

PLANE, a seven-year education initiative funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), was first introduced in Nigeria in 2021, initially focusing on some northern states and the federal level. With the expansion of the programme to the Southwest, the UK Government aims to further improve learning outcomes at the basic education level across the region. This expansion will involve close collaboration with DAWN Commission, the technocratic body responsible for the sustainable development of the Southwest.

Speaking at the event, Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, emphasised the programme’s focus on engaging affordable private community schools, which are vital in providing education to low-income households and marginalised children. He also highlighted the strategic role of Lagos State in this partnership, noting that the UK Government has previously worked with the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (LSMBSE) on other education initiatives, including the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) and Developing Effective Private Education in Nigeria (DEEPEN).

“The expansion of PLANE’s footprint to Southwest Nigeria is an opportunity to enhance quality and affordable basic education, by improving the regulation and oversight of low-cost private schools, under the leadership of State Governments,” said Deputy British High Commissioner Jonny Baxter during his remarks at the launch. He reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to working with Nigeria to improve education and empower future generations.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Mr Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, expressed the state’s readiness to support the programme during a courtesy visit by the British High Commission team to his office earlier in the day. “Lagos remains a model for other states in Nigeria, and we are ready to improve our strategy to remain the best in Nigeria. We look forward to collaborating with you on this project as well as exploring other future ways to strengthen our partnerships,” he said. The commissioner was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Abayomi Abolaji, at the launch.

The Director General of DAWN Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, was represented by Abiodun Oladipo, Head of Programmes at the Commission. Oladipo reinforced DAWN’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in the region, stating, “The Commission considers education as sine qua non to the socio-economic development of the Southwest region. PLANE is assured of our unflinching commitment to the attainment of the programme’s objectives.”

PLANE’s objectives align with Nigeria’s broader goals to improve access to quality education, particularly in underserved areas. Through its three strategic windows of intervention—foundational skills development, education in emergencies, and community-centred initiatives—the programme seeks to address a wide range of educational challenges across the country.

The programme’s interventions are being led by several partners, including DAI and FHI360, with Save the Children spearheading community-based initiatives. PLANE also benefits from the DELVe evidence, learning and accountability function, which supports the programme’s overall implementation.

For further information on PLANE and its activities, members of the public are encouraged to visit the programme’s website or follow its social media platforms for updates.

Here are the social media handles for the PLANE programme:
LinkedIn: @FCDO-PLANE Nigeria
Facebook: @FCDO PLANE Nigeria
X (formerly Twitter): @PLANE_Nigeria