Nigeria’s Tertiary Education sector, vital for national development, is grappling with a severe funding crisis that jeopardises its ability to deliver quality Education and drive innovation. As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria should be leading in educational investment; however, allocations to the sector remain woefully inadequate, consistently falling short of the UNESCO-recommended 26% of the national budget. This chronic underfunding affects the country’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, hindering their capacity to produce a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. .
This crisis dates back to the 1970s when military regimes began slashing education budgets, setting a precedent for underinvestment. Over time, the rapid establishment of new institutions, often driven by political considerations, worsened the situation. While Nigeria now boasts over 670 tertiary institutions, the financial support has been insufficient to match this growth. Public universities, for instance, often fail to secure adequate funding, with many receiving less than 60% of what they need, resulting in subpar facilities, outdated academic resources, and crumbling infrastructure.
Funding gap fuels declining education standards and brain drain.
A direct consequence of this funding gap is the declining quality of education. Overcrowded classrooms, where students often struggle for space, have become the norm in many institutions. Laboratories lack modern equipment, forcing science and engineering students to rely heavily on theoretical learning instead of practical experience. This deficiency undermines their readiness for the workforce and places a strain on employers, who must invest heavily in training graduates to bridge these skill gaps. Such shortcomings threaten Nigeria’s ability to develop a workforce capable of meeting global standards in critical sectors.
Another significant issue is the “brain drain” plaguing the sector. Frustrated by poor working conditions, low salaries, and limited access to research funding, many Nigerian academics are leaving for better opportunities abroad. This situation has led to a shortage of experienced lecturers in essential fields such as technology, engineering, and medicine. Without these experts, institutions struggle to provide quality education and remain competitive on the global stage. The loss of these professionals also weakens mentorship structures, depriving the next generation of academics of valuable guidance and expertise.
Government must prioritise education funding.
Beyond the immediate challenges, the funding crisis has broader societal implications. Rising tuition fees and additional charges passed on to students have made tertiary education increasingly unaffordable for many Nigerians. Public universities, meant to provide accessible education, are unable to meet growing demands due to limited resources. Meanwhile, Private Universities remain out of reach for most families, worsening social inequality. This growing divide prevents many talented individuals from accessing higher education, limiting their potential contributions to the nation’s development.
To address these issues, a comprehensive approach is essential. The government must prioritise education funding, meeting the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of 26% of the national budget. Transparency in fund allocation and utilisation is crucial to restore public confidence in the system. Additionally, institutions should diversify Revenue sources by commercialising research, forming industry partnerships, and encouraging alumni donations. By embracing such measures, alongside accountability systems, Nigeria can revitalise its tertiary education sector and unlock its potential for national development.
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Overall, the consequences of continued underfunding will remain severe for Nigeria’s development aspirations. Without adequate Investment in tertiary education, the nation risks falling further behind its global peers in areas such as innovation, research, and workforce readiness. This gap could have lasting effects on economic growth, technological advancement, and social mobility. By ensuring sufficient and transparent funding for higher institutions, Nigeria can take a crucial step toward fostering sustainable development. Adequate funding is essential not only for strengthening the education sector but also for empowering the nation’s future workforce and driving its broader socio-economic transformation