Nigeria Underfunds Education 27 Years After Democracy, Warns Policy Advocate Osita Chidoka
Abuja, Nigeria – Twenty-seven years after returning to democratic governance, Nigeria continues to significantly underfund its education sector, a situation described as a "national emergency" by former Aviation Minister and policy advocate Osita Chidoka. A recent analysis by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership reveals that Nigeria's total public investment in education for 2026 amounts to just 2.14 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), falling drastically short of the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of 4 to 6 percent for developing countries.
Chidoka presented these findings at the 70th Anniversary Gala of the Ekulu Primary School Alumni Association in Enugu. He highlighted that Nigeria's education spending is not only below international standards but also trails behind several other African and emerging economies. For instance, South Africa invests 6.7 percent of its GDP in education, Brazil spends 5.6 percent, Kenya 4.8 percent, India 4.1 percent, and Ghana 3.4 percent. "Nigeria is not in the middle of the developing world on this measure. It is below its floor," Chidoka stated, emphasizing that the issue has been treated too lightly for too long.
The analysis, which consolidated federal education spending, interventions by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), as well as education allocations from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, put the total figure at approximately ₦9.49 trillion against a projected 2026 GDP of ₦442.8 trillion.
Chidoka pointed to the economic and structural adjustment era between 1986 and 1999 as a period that severely weakened the education system, with academic salaries and institutional funding experiencing sharp declines. However, he argued that the most significant failure lies in the post-1999 democratic era, where successive governments have not adequately reversed this decline despite improved economic conditions.
Despite the grim national picture, the report identified some states making commendable efforts in prioritizing education. Anambra State leads with 46.9 percent of its 2026 budget allocated to education, followed by Enugu State with 32.2 percent, which is implementing its "Smart Green Schools" initiative. Other states like Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, and Abia were also cited for their commitments.
Chidoka stressed that the reform of Nigerian public education is increasingly being driven by these proactive states rather than solely from federal initiatives. He also noted that while physical infrastructure can be delayed, failures in education have permanent consequences for children, emphasizing that "roads can wait, education cannot."
Education stakeholders have consistently raised concerns about inadequate funding, deteriorating infrastructure, teacher shortages, and declining learning outcomes across the country. International bodies like UNESCO continue to urge governments to increase education financing as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Chidoka presented these findings at the 70th Anniversary Gala of the Ekulu Primary School Alumni Association in Enugu. He highlighted that Nigeria's education spending is not only below international standards but also trails behind several other African and emerging economies. For instance, South Africa invests 6.7 percent of its GDP in education, Brazil spends 5.6 percent, Kenya 4.8 percent, India 4.1 percent, and Ghana 3.4 percent. "Nigeria is not in the middle of the developing world on this measure. It is below its floor," Chidoka stated, emphasizing that the issue has been treated too lightly for too long.
The analysis, which consolidated federal education spending, interventions by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), as well as education allocations from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, put the total figure at approximately ₦9.49 trillion against a projected 2026 GDP of ₦442.8 trillion.
Chidoka pointed to the economic and structural adjustment era between 1986 and 1999 as a period that severely weakened the education system, with academic salaries and institutional funding experiencing sharp declines. However, he argued that the most significant failure lies in the post-1999 democratic era, where successive governments have not adequately reversed this decline despite improved economic conditions.
Despite the grim national picture, the report identified some states making commendable efforts in prioritizing education. Anambra State leads with 46.9 percent of its 2026 budget allocated to education, followed by Enugu State with 32.2 percent, which is implementing its "Smart Green Schools" initiative. Other states like Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, and Abia were also cited for their commitments.
Chidoka stressed that the reform of Nigerian public education is increasingly being driven by these proactive states rather than solely from federal initiatives. He also noted that while physical infrastructure can be delayed, failures in education have permanent consequences for children, emphasizing that "roads can wait, education cannot."
Education stakeholders have consistently raised concerns about inadequate funding, deteriorating infrastructure, teacher shortages, and declining learning outcomes across the country. International bodies like UNESCO continue to urge governments to increase education financing as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
This article and image are AI generated. For informational purposes only.