Reforming Nigeria’s Educational Policies: Bridging the Gap

 Over the years, Nigeria’s education sector has faced numerous challenges due to poor educational policies and implementation. Majority of these challenges stem from insufficient budgetary allocation, lack or inconsistency of Education Sector Plan by each state, poor implementation of the plans and security challenges.  

In 2015, the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,  a body established to promote international cooperation,  peace and sustainable development through education, culture, communication and science, recommends that countries should allocate 15 – 20 percent of their annual budget  on education so as to achieve a sustainable, quality, equitable and inclusive education for all. However, since 2016, Nigeria – a UNESCO member since 1960 – has been struggling to meet this target.  

An analysis by Dataphyte on education budgetary allocation from 2016 – 2022 revealed that the highest educational budget allocation to the education sector was in 2019 with 8.4%. Between 2023 – 2025, allocation has fluctuated between 6.39 – 8.2%, which is not only below the UNESCO recommendation but also fails to meet the 26% recommendation by the National Policy on Education.

 Insufficient funds in education cause poor  infrastructure and conducive learning environment,  decline in education quality, increase rates of dropout, unemployment, economic decline or high poverty rate, and increase in crime and slow national development. 

For example, Adewale may drop out of school due to poor infrastructure and the hidden cost of so-called “free education.” Even if he completes his school,  a lack of comprehensive knowledge or technical skills leaves him unprepared for the workforce. As a result,  he may resort to crime or low paying jobs, perpetuating poverty and weakening the economy.

Despite several legal provisions citizens are entitled to free education – such as section 18(3) of the Nigeria Constitution that state that “ Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end, Government shall provide free, compulsory, universal primary education,  secondary education, free university education, and free adult literacy programs when practicable” – these laws lack enforcement mechanisms evident by the 134th position Nigeria got in the global literacy ranking in 2021. 

A report by TheCable revealed poor infrastructure in Niger State schools despite the huge fund disbursed annually to states by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). This report is based on some schools in Niger state where the majority of pupils sit on bare floors and go home with dirty uniforms on a daily basis. In addition, the buildings roofs and the walls are almost dilapidated, lack of teaching aids, lack of textbooks for the students and library to mention but a few. Indepth research shows that most government owned schools in the country are plagued with infrastructural decay. Unfortunately,  corruption exacerbates the issue as even the inadequate funds allocated are being mismanaged or embezzled.

For instance, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) documented how the Universal Basic Education Commission failed to account for over N13 million naira paid to a contractor for the construction of a technical lab and provision of teaching and laboratory materials to two schools in Osun State. As a result, students lack access to basic equipment such as a T-square for technical drawing, while others trek for more than 30 mins to access education in another community. 

Another major challenge is the lack of well-detained education sector plans in many states. Even in some states with ESP, poor implementation is a significant problem.  Education Sector Plan (ESP) is a comprehensive strategic document used as a guide to achieve a quality and inclusive education system in a country or a state. It encompasses the visions, goals, policies, implementation (actions to be taken), monitoring and evaluation, and budgeting and financing. Though there is a general roadmap from the Federal Government,  some state governments have failed to develop a plan while implementation that is lacking in others. 

An example is Akwa Ibom State which deprived special needs students of teachers/ instructors and teaching materials as revealed by CrystalExpress. 

The report also voice the dire situation of special needs schools and the efforts contributed by the teachers of the schools regardless of the societal stigmatization

Just like Akwa Ibom, Oyo State also replaced an education plan to a vague roadmap which only stated the government promises and implementation plan and other vital information were excluded. According to a report by the PIJAliance, this oversight left some rural areas out of the school construction and renovation plan made by the government. Without a clear and actionable ESP, states risk mis-prioritizing projects and neglecting critical education reforms. 

To reform Nigeria’s educational policies, the budgetary allocation to education must be increased in line with international and national standards. Nigeria can emulate Tunisia which has been recognized to dedicate between  17% – 27% of its national budget to education between 1992 – 2023, and it is globally ranked 71st in terms of digital literacy and critical thinking. In Africa, it has educated about 80% of its population which has created a skilled workforce and entrepreneurship growth within the country though the employment rate is worrisome as a result of limited opportunities. However,  Nigeria has a higher chance of reducing unemployment rate if the target is met.

Strict monitoring and accountability mechanisms to prevent fund mismanagement. Aside from the legal framework and anti-corruption institutions establishment, the country has to work on implementation of these laws and hasten judicial process. 

Development and enforcement of state-wide Education Sector Plans (ESPs) to ensure inclusive and quality education. It is  necessary that other states should plan and build like Lagos State. It does not just have a plan, it establishes a public-private partnership to enhance school infrastructure and learning activities. A well-funded, transparent, and efficiently managed education sector is not just an investment in Nigeria’s future – iit is a necessity for national development.