Education on a Shoestring: Nigeria’s Struggle with Low Budgetary Allocations

It is said that education is the bedrock of any society. It forms the scaffold that determines whether or not a nation prospers. It is also clear that the education of a people is a direct reflection of where they want to be in the future hence, every nation determines the journey of its people by consciously or otherwise crafting the very blueprint of a desired future and hinging it on the educational system.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. —Nelson Mandela.

Educate the people, build the society, deprive the people of adequate educate, you deprive the nation of its development. This sums up the symbiotic relationship between education in a society and the direct benefit it has on the society.

Education is not about the learning but the training of the mind [to think in a certain way] – Albert Einstein. Does the government know that they are responsible for directing and building the country through the investments in the minds of their people?

Our educational policy should be designed in such a way as to cater not only for our current need as a country but most importantly, those of the future. However, has there been any government that curated where we should be as a nation in the next say 20, 40 or 50 years? Kindly ignore all the vision 2020 and what have you nonsense.

This is where our problems started as a people because serious countries effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situations via education.

This article seeks to lay bare the very menace in the education sector occasioned by poor funding. Government over the years and at every level have paid lip service to revamping this critical sector and have even promised to increase allocation to 15-25% in line with the recommendations of UNESCO. This benchmark is intended to ensure adequate funding for education systems to provide quality education and meet the needs of their populations.

For proper context, a review of the budget indicates that the education sector got N1.54 trillion, representing 6.39% of the total budget. This is a far cry from the above recommendations and as a country, we can do better. It is a known fact that if the approved amount is judiciously utilized, it will provide a bit of respite (we will look at that in the subsequent piece), however, the focus of this article is on reprioritizing the education sector through adequate funding.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

1. 1. 1. Pre-Independence Era (Pre-1960s):

Education in Nigeria was largely informal and localized, with limited access to formal schooling, especially in rural areas.

The colonial administration established a rudimentary education system primarily aimed at training clerks and low-level civil servants to serve colonial interests.

1. 1. 2. Post-Independence Period (1960s-1970s):

Following independence in 1960, Nigeria made efforts to expand access to education through the establishment of more schools and educational institutions.

However, rapid population growth outpaced educational infrastructure development, leading to overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of qualified teachers.

The Nigerian government faced challenges in adequately funding education due to competing demands for resources and economic instability.

Fast forward to today, Nigeria has over 20 million out of school children (OOC). The highest in Africa and third highest in the world.

Countries with relatively smaller population have shown enough political will and desire to boost their economy through the only viable means (the education of their children). No country develops beyond the average knowledge, technical know-how and/or skills of her people. So where are we and where do we aspire to be as a nation?

Take a quick look at this table.

Percentage of Budgetary Allocation to Education by African Countries as of 2020

Addressing the underfunding of education in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders and comprehensive reforms. Here are some key steps the Nigerian government could take to improve the situation:

Increase Budgetary Allocation, Enhance Transparency and Accountability, Invest in Infrastructure, Address Teacher Shortages and Training, Revise Curriculum and Pedagogy, Expand Access to Education, Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships, Promote Community Engagement, Address Security Challenges, Monitor and Evaluate Progress amongst others.

Education is not about the learning but the training of the mind [to think in a certain way] – Albert Einstein.

Overall, the underfunding of education in Nigeria is the result of a combination of historical, political, economic, and social factors that have undermined the country’s ability to provide quality education to its citizens. Addressing this issue will require concerted efforts to tackle corruption, improve governance, increase investment in education, and address the root causes of economic and social inequality.

By increasing funding, implementing these strategies and prioritizing education as a fundamental pillar of national development, the Nigerian government can work towards addressing the underfunding of education and ensuring that all citizens have access to quality education opportunities.