The government have introduced many reforms and policies but still education is a dumb and blind begger. The rights if the child to have access to free, public education was the first right to be recognized in the Field of human rights. Government, despite its large revenue from several high-earning industries, such as oil and gas, mining as well as agriculture, is the largest single funder of education in Nigeria, however, funding deficits, misappropriation of funds and corruption keep education obstructed at its knees. At present only about 10 per cent of the official shared of the education sector is funded by the government, in 2013!
Historical Context and Evolution
School systems in Nigeria are a product of the 19th century Western European educational infrastructure. With the increased agitation and destabilisation exerted by the British colonial masters, the native people organised themselves in a variety of forms with a view to protecting their own interests vis-a-vis the colonisers. The general colonial government acted largely as overseers, watching and guiding the operations of activities undertaken by missionaries within the colonial environment.
Shortly after independence, there was a period of open suppression of a variety of nationalist movements in an attempt by the colonial authorities to maintain the colonial divisions of the country. But with the immediate withdrawal of control from the colonial masters, the Nigerian government realised that for the country to successfully reconstruct itself, it must take an active role in all forms of education, funding issues included.
The most notable school improvement programme is the 1970s Universal Primary Education (UPE) project, which had the objective of providing free and compulsory primary education to all Nigerian school age children. Notwithstanding its initial discomfort, the programme helped to shape subsequent education policy landscape and ways of funding. As part of a Comprehensive Re‐education package, the National Policy of Education (NPE) in Nigeria in 1977 put the onus on government role for provision of opportunities at all levels of education.
Government Funding Mechanisms
In Nigeria, education funding is sourced primarily from federal, state, and local governments. The federal government, through the Ministry of Education, allocates substantial portions of its annual budget to education. This funding is distributed to various educational institutions, including primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Additionally, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) are instrumental in channeling funds to support infrastructure development, teacher training, and educational resources.
At the state level, governments also allocate significant funds to education, often supplementing federal allocations. Local governments, though with limited resources, contribute to funding primary and secondary education within their jurisdictions. This multi-tiered funding structure aims to ensure that education is adequately supported across all regions of Nigeria.
Challenges in Government Funding
Despite the government's commitment, several challenges hinder the effective funding of education in Nigeria. One major issue is the inadequacy of budgetary allocations. Although international benchmarks, such as those recommended by UNESCO, suggest that countries should allocate at least 15-20% of their national budgets to education, Nigeria often falls short of this target. For instance, in recent years, the education sector has received between 6-10% of the national budget, which is insufficient to meet the growing demands.
Corruption and mismanagement of funds also pose significant challenges. There have been numerous reports of embezzlement and misallocation of educational funds, leading to inadequate infrastructure, lack of teaching materials, and poorly paid teachers. This corruption undermines the effectiveness of government funding and erodes public trust in the education system.
Another challenge is the inequality in resource distribution. Urban areas often receive more funding and resources compared to rural areas, exacerbating educational disparities. Rural schools frequently suffer from inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, and lack of learning materials, which adversely affects the quality of education provided to students in these areas.
Government Initiatives and Reforms
To address these challenges, the Nigerian government has implemented several initiatives and reforms. One notable initiative is the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, launched in 1999, which aims to provide free and compulsory education for children up to the junior secondary level. This program has significantly increased enrollment rates, especially among disadvantaged and rural populations.
Additionally, the government established the TETFund in 2011 to address the funding needs of tertiary institutions. TETFund provides financial support for infrastructure development, research, and staff training in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This has contributed to improving the quality of higher education and enhancing the capacity of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The government has also embraced public-private partnerships (PPPs) to supplement funding and improve educational outcomes. By collaborating with private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international agencies, the government seeks to leverage additional resources and expertise to enhance the education sector.
The Way Forward
For Nigeria to achieve its educational goals and realize the full potential of its youth, several measures must be taken to strengthen government funding and address existing challenges. Firstly, there is a need for increased budgetary allocations to education. Meeting the recommended international benchmarks will ensure that adequate resources are available to support infrastructure development, teacher training, and the provision of learning materials.
Secondly, transparency and accountability in the management of educational funds must be prioritized. The government should establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the utilization of funds and prevent corruption. This can be achieved through the use of technology, such as digital financial management systems, to enhance transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, efforts should be made to address the inequality in resource distribution. The government should implement targeted interventions to support rural and underserved schools, ensuring that they receive adequate funding, infrastructure, and qualified teachers. This will help bridge the educational gap between urban and rural areas and promote equitable access to quality education for all Nigerian children.
Investing in teacher training and professional development is also crucial. The government should prioritize the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers, providing them with competitive salaries, incentives, and opportunities for continuous professional development. Well-trained and motivated teachers are essential for delivering quality education and improving learning outcomes.
