Why Nigeria’s 7% Education Budget Fails the Test
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Loading... - Eugenia Adeleke
- 14 Jan 2025
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Budgets may seem unimportant until their significance becomes clear: they set national priorities, support sectoral growth, and influence a nation’s trajectory. This is particularly true in education—the cornerstone of human capital development and societal progress. Yet, in Nigeria’s 2025 federal budget, education received a mere 7% allocation, a glaring indication of misplaced priorities in a nation grappling with deep-rooted educational deficiencies.
This underwhelming figure underscores a troubling disconnect between Nigeria’s aspirations and its actions. Once a beacon of educational advancement in Africa, the 7% allocation hardly reflects a commitment to reclaiming that status. It falls woefully short of the global benchmark recommended by UNESCO, which suggests that countries allocate 15-20% of their national budgets to education. In comparison, regional counterparts like Kenya (20%) and Ghana (13%) are making more substantial investments in their educational systems.
Nigeria’s current approach starkly contrasts with the visionary policies of the old Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1950s and 1960s. Awolowo’s administration implemented free education programs that laid the foundation for a literate and skilled population, contributing to regional prosperity. Today, however, the education system faces numerous challenges—dilapidated infrastructure, underpaid teachers, high dropout rates, and stagnant literacy levels—suggesting a lack of political will to build on this legacy.
The consequences of this neglect are severe. According to UNICEF, an estimated 20 million Nigerian children are out of school—the highest number globally. Public universities are plagued by strikes and infrastructural decay, while teachers, who are pivotal to any education system, remain undertrained and poorly compensated. This systemic neglect perpetuates a vicious cycle: a poorly educated workforce hampers economic productivity, exacerbates inequality, and limits innovation in a global economy increasingly defined by technology and advanced skills.
Globally, nations that prioritize education demonstrate its transformative potential. For instance, Finland allocates over 20% of its budget to education, ensuring a world-class, learner-centric system. Similarly, Singapore, which transitioned from a developing economy to a global hub, consistently dedicates upwards of 18%, aligning its curriculum with future workforce needs.
Within Africa, Nigeria’s performance is equally lackluster. Kenya’s 20% allocation underpins its strides in universal primary education, while Rwanda’s investment of over 15% has yielded remarkable improvements in literacy and school enrollment. Nigeria’s 7% allotment not only lags behind but also reflects a concerning rigidity in addressing structural problems. If smaller economies can prioritize education as a cornerstone of growth, why can’t Africa’s largest economy?
The Nigerian government often cites competing priorities—security, healthcare, and infrastructure—as reasons for limited education funding. While these areas are undeniably critical, they are inextricably linked to education. A robust education system enhances national security, fosters economic growth, and improves health outcomes.
However, the issue extends beyond mere allocation to include inefficiencies in fund utilization. Reports from BudgIT, a civic tech organization focused on budget transparency, highlight significant leakages due to corruption and redundant bureaucracies. Education funding is not just about how much is allocated but how effectively it is deployed.
To address this crisis, Nigeria must recalibrate its budgetary priorities. Doubling the current allocation to at least 15% in the short term, with a roadmap to reach 20%, is not only feasible but imperative. This increased funding should target:
i. Infrastructure Development: Modernizing classrooms, equipping laboratories, and providing digital tools to enhance learning environments.
ii. Teacher Training and Welfare: Establishing professional development programs and offering competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled educators.
iii. Policy Innovation: Leveraging data-driven strategies to identify gaps, measure progress, and implement scalable solutions.
iv. Accountability Mechanisms: Ensuring transparency and efficiency in fund utilization through independent oversight and regular audits.
Budgets are more than spreadsheets; they reflect national values. The allocation of resources signifies what a nation truly prioritizes. Nigeria’s 7% allocation to education in 2025 is not merely a number but a stark indictment of its priorities. With over 60% of the population under 25, the stakes could not be higher. This youthful demographic presents an incredible opportunity for economic growth and social progress, but only if they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the 21st century.
The global economy, increasingly driven by knowledge and innovation, will not wait for a country shackled by an underfunded, outdated education system. In a world where competitiveness hinges on human capital, Nigeria risks being left behind if it fails to invest in its youth.
Does 7% bridge the gap? The answer is unequivocally no. To secure its future, Nigeria must not only increase funding but also commit to transformative reforms that place education at the heart of its development agenda. This requires a multi-pronged approach.
Prioritizing equitable access, ensuring quality education for all children, regardless of their background or location, is paramount. This includes addressing the needs of children with disabilities, those from marginalized communities, and those living in remote areas.
Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers is crucial. This involves competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and creating a supportive and rewarding work environment.
The curriculum must be relevant to the needs of the 21st-century workforce, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy.
Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are needed to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure accountability for all stakeholders.
Anything less than a comprehensive and sustained commitment to education reform risks betraying the nation’s youth and squandering its immense potential. The time for action is now. Nigeria must invest in its future, and that investment must begin with education.
