The Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olufemi Gbajabiamila, has criticised the N3.52 trillion allocated to the education sector in the 2025 national budget, describing it as grossly inadequate and far below expectations.
Gbajabiamila made this observation on Tuesday while delivering a lecture as a guest speaker at the maiden annual lecture of Osun State University, held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium on the main campus in Osogbo.
Speaking on the theme, “Interrogating Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives,” the former Speaker of the House of Representatives asserted that education is a right, not a privilege, of every Nigerian.
He argued that the current structure of public university education in Nigeria is unsustainable, stressing that both the Federal and State Governments would be unable to fund quality education unless significant reforms are implemented adequately.
“When compared with other countries globally, Nigeria’s current budgetary allocation to education falls far short of what is required to ensure quality learning outcomes,” he said.
Gbajabiamila acknowledged that inadequate funding of tertiary institutions remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting both the federal and state governments. He noted that the stark reality is that under the current circumstances, the government cannot afford to provide the level of qualitative education needed in today’s world.
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