Nigerian Students’ Group Criticizes Tinubu Administration for Allocating Less Than 26% of 2025 Budget to Education
The Nigerian student association has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the federal government’s decision to allocate less than 26% of the 2025 national budget to education. The group, which represents the interests of students nationwide, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to reconsider its priorities, emphasizing the critical role education plays in the nation’s development.
According to the students’ group, the allocation falls significantly short of the benchmark set by UNESCO, which recommends that at least 26% of a country’s annual budget be dedicated to education. They argued that the government’s inadequate funding of the sector is a major impediment to improving the quality of education, addressing infrastructural deficits, and providing better opportunities for millions of Nigerian students.
In a statement released on Friday, the group stated that underfunding education not only jeopardizes the future of young Nigerians but also hinders the nation’s ability to compete globally. “Education is the bedrock of any developed society. By allocating less than 26% of the budget to this vital sector, the government is neglecting the foundation upon which sustainable development and national progress are built,” the statement read.
The group further highlighted the persistent challenges facing the education sector, including overcrowded classrooms, poorly equipped laboratories, dilapidated school buildings, and insufficient teaching materials. They stressed that unless the government takes immediate action to address these issues, Nigeria risks falling further behind in global educational standards.
While the Tinubu administration has defended its budget priorities by pointing to other pressing sectors such as infrastructure and security, critics argue that neglecting education in favor of short-term solutions could have long-term repercussions. The students’ group urged the government to strike a balance by adequately funding education without compromising other key areas of development.
The association also called on stakeholders, including parents, educators, and civil society organizations, to join in advocating for increased funding for education. They emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in the utilization of allocated resources to ensure that the funds are directed toward meaningful improvements in the sector.
As debates over the 2025 budget allocation continue, the students’ group vowed to intensify its campaign, warning that failure to prioritize education could spark further unrest among the nation’s youth. They concluded by reminding the government of its responsibility to fulfill its promises of building a brighter future for all Nigerians through quality education.
This criticism adds to the growing calls for the Nigerian government to take bold steps in reforming the education sector, which many see as the key to unlocking the country’s immense potential.
