The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has raised concerns over the persistent underfunding of Nigeria’s education sector, revealing that government allocations to education have consistently remained far below global standards, thereby hampering infrastructure development, research and access to higher education.
- +Nigeria’s education funding below UNESCO benchmark, says minister
Alausa said federal budgetary allocations to education have historically ranged between five and eight per cent, significantly lower than the 15 to 20 per cent benchmark recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Alausa said federal budgetary allocations to education have historically ranged between five and eight per cent, significantly lower than the 15 to 20 per cent benchmark recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
The minister made this known in a paper titled, “65 Years of Excellence: Obafemi Awolowo University and the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria,” delivered at the grand finale of activities marking the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
A copy of the paper was made available to journalists on Friday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
According to Alausa, inadequate funding remains one of the major obstacles confronting tertiary education in the country, alongside limited investment in research, brain drain and a growing disconnect between university education and labour market demands.
The minister also warned that the widening gap between the demand for university education and the available admission spaces posed a serious challenge to the sector.
“Nigeria has over 200 universities, but our carrying capacity is far below demand. Over 2 million qualified candidates apply for less than 500,000 university spaces annually. This is a ticking time bomb,” he said.
Alausa further lamented the mismatch between the skills acquired by graduates and the needs of employers, noting that many university graduates leave school without critical competencies required in the modern economy.
“There is a gap between what our universities teach and what the economy needs. Many graduates leave with certificates but without critical thinking, digital skills, or entrepreneurial competence.
“Our best lecturers and brightest graduates are leaving in droves for Europe, North America and the Gulf. This is a hemorrhage of talent,” he added.
The minister equally expressed concern over the country’s low spending on research and development, stressing that Nigeria could not achieve meaningful technological and economic advancement without increased investment in innovation.
“Nigeria spends less than 0.2 per cent of GDP on R&D. In contrast, Israel spends over 4 per cent, South Korea nearly 5 per cent. We cannot engineer a future on that kind of investment,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Alausa expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigerian universities to drive national development, describing them as centres of innovation and problem-solving.
“Despite these challenges, I am an optimist. Because where you find problems, you also find problem-solvers. And Nigeria’s universities—especially OAU—are full of problem-solvers,” he said.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to education through ongoing reforms and initiatives, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
“We have the Student Loan Scheme (the Nigerian Education Loan Fund—NELFUND) to ensure that no student abandons their dream due to poverty,” he stated.
He added that the government was implementing the revised National Policy on Education as part of efforts to strengthen the sector and improve learning outcomes.
Congratulating Obafemi Awolowo University on its 65th anniversary, Alausa urged the institution to sustain its legacy of excellence and continue leading innovation in higher education.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, described the institution as one of Africa’s most prestigious universities, with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, impactful research and the production of outstanding graduates.
Bamire said the university’s future would be anchored on innovation, technological advancement, global competitiveness and stronger industry partnerships.
“The next phase of our journey must be driven by innovation, technological advancement, global competitiveness, sustainable development and impactful partnerships.
“We envision an Obafemi Awolowo University that will continue to lead Africa’s knowledge economy, shape future-ready graduates, deepen cutting-edge research, strengthen industry linkages, and contribute meaningfully to solving local and global challenges,” he said.
Established in 1961 as the University of Ife and renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987, OAU is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading higher institutions.
