By Gabriel Ameh
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has called on the National Assembly to significantly increase funding for the education sector in the 2026 fiscal year, warning that persistent underinvestment is deepening teacher shortages, infrastructure decay, and insecurity in public schools.
Alausa made the appeal on Thursday while defending the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2026 budget proposal before the Joint Committee on Education at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
He urged lawmakers to adopt UNESCO’s recommendation that at least 20 percent of national budgets be allocated to education, describing it as a necessary benchmark for meaningful reform.
“Education is the backbone of national development,” the minister said, stressing that without stronger financial commitment, schools cannot equip students with competitive skills for a global economy.
3,500-Teacher Deficit in Unity Colleges
Highlighting staffing challenges, Alausa disclosed that Federal Unity Colleges are facing a deficit of more than 3,500 teachers.
The shortfall, he noted, is particularly affecting science, mathematics, and technical subjects.
According to him, urgent funding is needed to recruit, train, and retain qualified educators in order to improve learning outcomes and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital base.
Security and Infrastructure Gaps
The minister also raised concerns over insecurity in schools, especially in areas affected by kidnapping and banditry. He noted that many institutions remain unfenced and lack reliable electricity, limiting the deployment of surveillance systems.
“Our children must learn in safe environments. Security is non-negotiable,” he told lawmakers.
Beyond security, Alausa pointed to overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated hostels, obsolete laboratory equipment, and weak library facilities as major constraints to effective teaching and research.
Digital and Scholarship Reforms
He emphasized the need to expand Information and Communication Technology infrastructure, including access to computers, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools.
To address funding delays affecting government-sponsored students abroad, the minister proposed a ring-fenced scholarship account, with tuition and allowances paid in local currencies or US dollars to reduce the impact of exchange rate volatility.
Aligning with National Priorities
Alausa said the 2026 budget proposal aligns with the policy direction of Bola Tinubu, the Education Sector Roadmap, and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He described the proposal as a strategic plan aimed at expanding access for out-of-school children, strengthening teacher capacity, improving school safety, and repositioning tertiary institutions to produce a skilled workforce.
A Sector Long Underfunded
Nigeria’s education sector has historically received between 6 and 10 percent of the national budget far below UNESCO’s 20 percent benchmark. Analysts say sustained underfunding has contributed to infrastructure decay, overcrowded classrooms, weak facilities, and a growing disparity between public and private education standards.
Stakeholders warn that without sustained increases in funding and improved budget utilisation, reforms may continue to yield limited results.
