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Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Thursday, urged the National Assembly to significantly increase funding for the ministry’s 2026 budget proposal, warning that Nigeria’s education system faces critical challenges including teacher shortages, poor infrastructure, and security threats in schools.
Speaking while defending the budget before the Senate and House Joint Committee on Education, Alausa stressed that Nigeria must adopt the UNESCO benchmark of 20% allocation to education to drive meaningful reform.
“Education is the backbone of national development. Without adequate funding, our schools cannot equip students with the knowledge and skills required to compete globally,” he said.
He revealed that Federal Unity Colleges are short of over 3,500 teachers, particularly in science, mathematics, and technical subjects, and called for urgent recruitment and training to close the gap.
The minister also raised concerns about safety, noting that many schools remain unfenced and vulnerable to kidnapping and banditry. He emphasized the need for surveillance systems, perimeter fencing, and stable electricity to secure learning environments.
Alausa highlighted deficits in classrooms, hostels, laboratories, and libraries, warning that overcrowding and outdated facilities undermine teaching and research. He also called for expanded ICT infrastructure, including computers, internet access, and digital learning tools, to prepare students for a knowledge-driven economy.
On scholarships, he proposed a dedicated, ring-fenced account to ensure timely payments and shield beneficiaries from exchange rate volatility.
“Many of our scholarship beneficiaries are indigent yet high-performing students. Inadequate funding exposes them to hardship and limits their potential,” he said.
Alausa explained that the 2026 proposal aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on reducing the number of out-of-school children, improving safety, strengthening teacher capacity, and repositioning tertiary institutions.
“The 2026 budget is not merely a financial plan; it is a blueprint for transforming Nigeria’s education system. Every naira invested will yield long-term dividends in skilled citizens, economic growth, and national prosperity,” he added.
Nigeria’s education sector has long suffered from underfunding, with allocations typically between 6–10% of the national budget, far below UNESCO’s recommendation.
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