Nigerian Education Crisis: Poor Funding And Corruption Hindering Academic Growth

The Decline of Nigeria’s Education System Due to Poor Funding and Corruption

In the 1990s, Kene Obiora graduated as one of the top six students from a leading university in Southern Nigeria. Inspired by his academic success, he enrolled for a master’s degree, hoping to complete it within 18 months. However, five years later, his dreams remained unfulfilled.

Kene’s supervisor, citing poor remuneration, was often absent from campus in search of extra income. During one such absence, he misplaced Kene’s handwritten 300-page thesis and unapologetically asked him to start over. Unable to continue, Kene abandoned the program and later completed his master’s degree abroad in just 12 months.

The Harsh Reality Faced by Nigerian Students

Kene’s experience mirrors the widespread decay in Nigeria’s education sector. Students frequently encounter:

Inadequate infrastructure: Insufficient lecture halls, poorly equipped laboratories, and a lack of staff accommodation.
Industrial actions: Frequent strikes by teaching and non-teaching staff disrupt academic activities.
Corruption and exploitation: Postgraduate students often face extortion from supervisors, with demands for money, gifts, and even sexual favors in exchange for fair assessment of their work.

Students have shared shocking accounts:

Paying for supervisors’ hotel bills.
Offering food, drinks, and gifts during thesis defense.
Supervisors demanding personal gifts unrelated to academics.

Chronic Underfunding of Education in Nigeria

Nigeria’s budgetary allocation for education has consistently fallen below international recommendations. Since 1999, the sector has received only 6.93% of the national budget, far below the 26% benchmark suggested by UNESCO.

Comparative Figures:

UNESCO Recommendation: 26%
World Bank Recommendation: 20-30%
Nigeria’s Current Allocation: 7.08% in the proposed 2025 budget

Even when funds are allocated, they often fail to be fully implemented, with capital project execution averaging only 30%.

The Need for Increased Funding and Accountability

Experts emphasize that increased funding, alongside proper resource management, can transform Nigeria’s education landscape. Some proposed strategies include:

Incremental Budget Increase: Gradually raising the allocation to meet the 26% target.
Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging private sector investment to supplement government efforts.
Education Bonds: Introducing bonds and development levies specifically for education.
Stricter Oversight: Implementing stronger monitoring mechanisms to curb corruption and mismanagement.

Conclusion

The Nigerian education crisis demands urgent attention. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significant investment in the education sector. Proper funding, reduced corruption, and transparent implementation of policies are essential for restoring the integrity of Nigeria’s academic institutions.