The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s chronic underfunding of its education sector, warning that the nation’s future is at risk if urgent reforms are not implemented.
Speaking at the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Alausa revealed that federal allocations to education have consistently remained between 5 and 8 per cent of the national budget far below the 15–20 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO.
He stressed that this funding gap has led to decaying infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories, and outdated libraries, while also limiting access to higher education.
“Nigeria has over 200 universities, but our carrying capacity is far below demand. Over 2 million qualified candidates apply for less than 500,000 spaces annually. This is a ticking time bomb,” Alausa warned.
The minister further highlighted the mismatch between university curricula and labour market needs, noting that many graduates lack critical thinking, digital skills, and entrepreneurial competence.
He lamented the ongoing brain drain, with top lecturers and graduates leaving for opportunities abroad.
Alausa also pointed to Nigeria’s meagre investment in research and development less than 0.2 per cent of GDP compared to countries like Israel (4 per cent) and South Korea (5 per cent).
Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about the role of Nigerian universities as centres of innovation and problem-solving.
He cited initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the revised National Policy on Education as steps toward improving access and outcomes.
Congratulating OAU on its milestone anniversary, Alausa urged the institution to sustain its legacy of excellence and continue driving innovation in higher education.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire reaffirmed OAU’s commitment to global competitiveness, technological advancement, and stronger industry partnerships, positioning the university as a leader in Africa’s knowledge economy.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com