Education, Featured
By Anthony Isibor
THE Nigerian education sector is once again under the spotlight as the National Assembly presses for accountability in the implementation of the N2.39 trillion allocated to the sector in the 2026 federal budget.
At a tense budget defence session in Abuja, lawmakers warned that without strict adherence to financial discipline and constitutional principles, the record allocation could become another missed opportunity in a system long plagued by underperformance despite rising appropriations.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed that N2.39 trillion has been earmarked for the sector, with N257.8 billion allocated to the Federal Ministry of Education, N633.2 billion to parastatals, N966.9 billion to universities, N256 billion to federal polytechnics, N125.9 billion to colleges of education and N155.3 billion to unity schools, while UNESCO Paris is to receive N3.3 billion.
The Lawmakers, however, made it clear that appropriation alone would not suffice. They raised concerns about extra-budgetary spending, particularly the use of internally generated revenue without parliamentary approval, and alleged violations of federal character principles in admissions and recruitment across agencies.
The scrutiny comes against the backdrop of fluctuating but historically high education allocations in recent years.
In 2025, for example, the federal government approved about N3.52 trillion for education, the largest in nominal terms, representing roughly seven per cent of the national budget.
In 2024, the figure stood at approximately N1.59 trillion, around 5.5 per cent of total spending. Despite these increases, allocations have consistently fallen short of the 15 to 20 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO.
Analysts argue that while headline figures have grown, a significant portion continues to be absorbed by recurrent expenditure such as salaries and overheads, leaving capital projects and quality improvements underfunded.
Implementation remains another weak link. Data compiled by civic accountability group BudgIT showed that although Nigerian states budgeted over N2.4 trillion for education in 2025, actual spending hovered around 66 to 67 per cent of that figure.
The gap between appropriation and execution has translated into stalled infrastructure projects, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching materials and persistent teacher shortages. Even at the federal level, stakeholders question how much of previous allocations translated into measurable learning gains, improved literacy rates or reduced out-of-school numbers.
Nigeria’s education performance indicators further complicate the picture. According to global comparative data aggregated by institutions such as the World Bank and UNESCO, Nigeria ranks in the lower half of countries worldwide in learning outcomes, literacy performance and school completion rates.
Estimates in recent global education system rankings place Nigeria around 130th out of roughly 190 countries. On the African continent, Nigeria falls behind smaller economies that commit a higher share of public spending to education and demonstrate stronger basic learning outcomes. These rankings reflect not only funding gaps but also systemic issues in governance, teacher quality, curriculum relevance and equity of access.
Stakeholders across the education value chain have become increasingly vocal. Teachers’ unions, civil society organisations, parent associations and industry leaders are calling for a fundamental shift from budget size to budget impact. Many insist that Nigeria must move closer to UNESCO’s recommended spending benchmark, while also ring-fencing capital expenditure for infrastructure renewal and technology integration. Others argue that the emphasis should be on foundational literacy and numeracy, especially in rural and conflict-affected communities where out-of-school numbers remain troublingly high.
There is also a growing push for expanded technical and vocational education to address youth unemployment and bridge the skills gap in key sectors of the economy. Industry groups want curricula aligned with labour market realities, stronger partnerships between tertiary institutions and the private sector, and targeted investments in science, technology and digital competencies.
Governance reforms feature prominently in stakeholder demands, with calls for stricter oversight of internally generated revenues, transparent procurement processes and compliance with constitutional provisions such as federal character.
For lawmakers, the warning is clear: without discipline and measurable outcomes, the N2.39 trillion allocation could follow the path of previous budgets that expanded on paper, but delivered modest improvements in classrooms.
For the executive, the challenge is to convert legislative approval into tangible change that lifts Nigeria’s global and continental education standing. As economic pressures mount and demographic growth accelerates, the stakes have never been higher. The 2026 budget may offer another opportunity to reset the trajectory, but only if execution matches ambition and accountability becomes more than a talking point
A.I
Feb. 28, 2026
Tags: Tunji Alausa
