Students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria have rejected bags of rice distributed by the federal government, decrying the gesture as a superficial bribe that fails to address the systemic challenges plaguing the Education sector. The initiative, reportedly targeted at student leaders, has been criticised for sidelining the pressing needs of the broader learner population and their struggling families. The students argue that the palliatives are an attempt to buy their allegiance while ignoring the fundamental issues affecting schools, including poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, and the rising cost of tuition.
Some student leaders have openly criticised the distribution, stating that they focus on demanding better policies and support for academics rather than accepting handouts that undermine their cause. This development has drawn attention to the government’s approach to addressing national challenges, with critics pointing to a pattern of prioritising symbolic gestures over meaningful action. The rice distribution comes against the backdrop of widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s institutional system, which continues to face underfunding and neglect.
Rising criticism of tokenism in governance budget for academics.
Meanwhile, the federal budget for academics in 2024 was only 7.9 percent of the national expenditure, far below the 15 to 20 percent recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The proposed 2025 budget fares even worse, with an allocation of just 7 percent for schools. This is a sharp contrast to promises made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) a decade ago to significantly increase funding for academics and make it a cornerstone of national development.
However, student unions have been vocal in their rejection of the palliatives. A notable example is Damilola Isaac, the president of the Students Union Government (SUG) at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, who emphasised that his administration would not accept the rice if it arrived. Isaac stated that their priority remains advocating for improved educational standards and better student welfare, which the government has consistently failed to provide. Many learners see the rice distribution as a reflection of the government’s inability to address their concerns.
Call for genuine reform in the education sector nationwide.
They argue that while the palliatives might temporarily relieve a select few, they do nothing to address the long-term challenges facing millions and their families. Meanwhile, the nation’s education sector has been a subject of concern for years. In a recent analysis of education spending across 42 African countries, the country ranked last, allocating just 4.3 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to education between 1974 and 2022. This is far below countries like Kenya and Ghana, which dedicate 20 percent and 13 percent of their budgets to education.
Many have also pointed to the APC’s failure to fulfil its 2015 campaign promises, which included guaranteeing free education, improving education infrastructure, and tripling academic spending. Instead, the sector has consistently declined, leaving students and institutions struggling with outdated facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient resources. The rejection means that the government should prioritise institutions and implement reforms to address the root causes of the sector’s decline. Learners and expert advocates are urging the federal government to honour its promises and allocate sufficient resources to improve learning conditions nationwide.
Related Article: Gov Dauda vows to strengthen health, education
Observers argue that addressing the challenges in education requires more than token gestures or temporary fixes. They emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach that includes increased funding, improved Teacher training, and the provision of modern learning tools and infrastructure. As the conversation around the government’s priorities continues, learners have sent a clear message which focuses that they will no longer accept superficial solutions to deep-rooted problems. Their stance highlights the urgency of addressing the education crisis and ensuring that the sector receives the attention and resources it deserves.