Education
Education Sector and FG’s Promises
By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi
There are two recent exciting events in the country that provided sidelight to this particular piece. Fortunately, also both are education sector-specific.
First, the recent in Abuja while receiving members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) led by the Co-Chairs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Revd. (Dr) Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.
In that meeting, Mr President Muhammadu Buhari among other things stated that the Federal Government remains committed to honouring promises made to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to prevent disruptive strikes, engender uninterrupted academic programmes and improve funding of educational institutions.
The second has to do with another similar decision/pledge by the Federal Government of Nigeria, during the celebration of the International Day of Education, to increase Nigeria’s annual domestic expenditure on education by 50 per cent over the next two years, and by 100 per cent by 2025.
Interestingly, this piece is not the only one that viewed the comments, particularly the second development as a right step taken in the right direction.
Take, as an illustration, a statement issued and signed on Monday by Geoffrey Njoku, UNICEF Communication Specialist in Maiduguri, among other things, which said, “The Nigerian government has committed to increasing funding for education, which is a very important step. Far too many Nigerian children today are not in the classroom and for those who are; far too many are not getting a solid education that can translate into good prospects for their futures. This is a step forward, an increase from 5.7 per cent allocated for 2021, though there is still a long way to go to reach the internationally recommended benchmark that countries spend 15-20 per cent of their national budgets on education”.
The statement added that “at least 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria, the highest rate in the world. A full one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world are Nigerian,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.
Essentially, aside from what UNESCO said, there are of course in my view other intrinsic reasons why the latest moves by the Federal Government, if implemented, deserve the commendations of Nigerians.
Chronic perennial underfunding visited on the sector by the past and present administrations have as a consequence impeded public universities lecturers from carrying out scholarly research, truncates academic calendar with strike actions, laced Nigerian universities with dilapidated and overstretched learning facilities with the universities producing graduates devoid of linkage with the manpower demand by the nation’s industrial sector.
Most pathetically, this age-long challenge has in some public institutions of higher learning led to a thoughtless demand for fees of varying amounts/proposed by the school authorities, a development that financially squeezed the life out of the innocent students and their parents while stripping our education process and outcome fairness.
Take as an illustration of underfunding, the Nigerian government’s initial budget for 2020, going by reports, was N10.5 trillion ($25.6 billion) of which N686.8 billion ($1.7 billion) was for education. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was amended. The overall budget was increased slightly to N10.8 trillion, but that for education fell to N607.7 billion. The allocation to the education of N686.8 billion worked out to 6.5% of the initial 2020 budget. The revised budget of N10.8 trillion meant that education’s share of N607.7 billion then accounted for 5.6% of the total.
According to the country’s budget office, the funding allocated to the basic education commission in 2020, in the initial and amended budgets, are as follows; the initial budget, N137.97 billion ($336.5 million) was allocated to the commission. In the amended budget, the allocation dropped to N79.9 billion ($194.8 million).
Despite these efforts, the budgetary allocation to the education sector for the said year did not scratch the surface of the UNESCO budgetary recommendation to nations, which currently stands at between 20/26%.
The above failure and failing coupled with another mirage of challenges within the sector have rendered the present move by, and celebration of the Federal Government present effort/promise as a new invention which usually comes with opportunities and challenges.
This assertion is predicated on the fact that the challenges confronting the education sector in Nigeria are hydra-headed and go beyond perennial underfunding to include dilapidated learning facilities, overcrowded classes and obsolete policies among others. A case that calls for more work, reforms holistic approach in ways that demand from the Federal Government the urgent need to go beyond this present promise.
Take as another illustration, the Institute for Statistics (UIS), the official statistics agency for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have till, when discontinued publishing these indicators in September 2020, because it had since adopted other indicators, recommended about 58 pupils to every qualified teacher. But that is not the situation in most schools in Nigeria, particularly the state/federal government-owned primary and secondary schools.
More specifically, a visit to the public schools (both primary and secondary) in some Northern and Southern parts of the country not only supports this belief but says something ‘new and different. Even in other Southern states, the situation is not different. In Lagos for example, where there is a huge demand for learning opportunities, the number of students per teacher/per class is far above the UNESCO recommendation. The facts are there and speak for it.
It is also of truth, says a research report, that there are still a huge number of those who are in these schools, but are learning nothing-as schooling does not always lead to learning. In Nigeria, it is finally becoming evident that there are more non-learners in school than out of school.
Presently also, the world is in agreement that it has not been an easy road for the Nigerian education sector. Since May 1999, when democracy re-emerged on the political surface called Nigeria, it has been a tough and tumbles ride. Even the practice of democracy in the country, contrary to earlier beliefs, has not helped to stop the pangs of challenges experienced by Nigerians in the sector.
Both the federal and state governments in Nigeria continue to allow the rate of out of school children, especially in the northern part of Nigeria, to swell in number, even when it is obvious that the streets are known for breeding all forms of criminals and other social misfits who constitute the real threat in the forms of armed robbers; thugs, drunkards, prostitutes and all other social ills that give a bad name to the society, Nigerians are beginning to view Government’s approach to the challenge as not yielding the targeted result.
Just very recently, it was reported that out of the seventeen states in the country with the highest number of out-of-school children, 14 of the states are in the North. The commentary also noted that if the rate of out of school children can be curtailed, it would help check the insecurity that is currently bedevilling parts of the country, and would to a large extent signal goodbye to insecurity threats across the country.
For the recent promises by Federal Government to bear the target fruit, one point we must all bear in mind is that the major problem standing in the way/preventing Nigerians from enjoying piece in the education sector is the government’s progressive non-recognition of the right to education as a human right despite their membership of a number of international conventions, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights where the right is respected.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). He can be reached via [email protected]/08032725374
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Edo State Government has postponed the resumption date of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District as tension rose in the state.
The senatorial district, which is the region of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has witnessed a couple of security crises recently, including the arrest of over 50 students.
In a statement on Monday, the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Paddy Iyamu, said the postponement was until further notice, to enable the state government address prevailing exigencies and improve the welfare and safety of pupils.
“The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” the Commissioner said.
“Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly.”
The development was after last Saturday’s peaceful protest over insecurity and kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, which turned violent.
According to reports, certain actors hijacked the protest, blocked a major highway, disrupted commercial activities, and attacked traders at the livestock market, where goats were killed and cows beaten, scenes captured in viral videos.
The attackers also invaded and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Mr Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
On Monday, the governor, accompanied by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and others, visited the palace to assess the level of destruction.
Several vehicles, canopies, chairs, doors, and windows were damaged, while goods belonging to the monarch’s wife were also destroyed.
Describing the invasion as criminal and unacceptable, Mr Okpebholo said protests must never be used as a cover for lawlessness.
The governor disclosed that a security meeting had been held earlier with a strong focus on Edo Central, particularly the Ekpoma axis, noting that strategic, technology-driven security operations had been deployed.
On social media, a lot of Nigerians have condemned the actions of the government, saying innocent people have been arrested.
By Timi Olubiyi, PhD
In today’s world, nations no longer compete only with natural resources or population size; they compete with ideas, knowledge, and innovation. In the last few days, I have received many messages following my inclusion as number 102 among the Top 500 academics in Nigeria, according to SciVal’s scholarly output ranking for 2023–2026. A stunning display of scholarly excellence that has captured attention both within and beyond Nigeria.
It is important to mention thatSciVal is a respected global research analytics platform developed by Elsevier, one of the world’s leading academic publishing and information companies. It is widely used by universities, governments, and research institutions across more than 230 countries to assess research performance and track global influence.
While such recognition is noteworthy, it should not be viewed merely through the lens of individual achievement. Rather, it presents an important opportunity to reflect on what this ranking truly means for Nigeria’s development, the future of its universities, and the country’s place in the global knowledge economy, which is the central motivation for this discussion.
Nigeria is home to over 270 public and private universities, with an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 lecturers, if not more. From this vast academic community, only 500 scholars were identified by SciVal as the most productive and globally visible researchers. Recognition on SciVal therefore, signals that a scholar’s work is not only prolific but also trusted, visible, and impactful internationally, making the ranking a credible benchmark of global academic relevance rather than a local or ceremonial listing. In essence, the ranking is not about popularity or titles; it is about impact.
The importance of the Top 500 list goes far beyond academic pride. These scholars contribute to shaping public policy, influencing business practices, supporting innovation, and addressing real societal challenges. Nations that achieve sustained economic and social progress invest deliberately in research because effective policies and successful enterprises are built on strong, evidence-based ideas.
SciVal evaluates research performance across more than 230 countries and over 20,000 institutions worldwide, tracking publications, citations, collaborations, and research influence through internationally recognised databases such as Scopus. Simply put, it measures whose work is shaping conversations globally. For Nigeria to have 500 scholars represented on this platform is significant. It signals to the world that Nigerian academics are not merely participants in global discourse, but active contributors to it.
Being ranked 102nd on this list reflects years of consistent research output, collaboration, and engagement across key areas such as entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainability, innovation, leadership, and business continuity. These areas are far from abstract academic interests; they are central to Nigeria’s economic survival and growth. SMEs, in particular, form the backbone of the Nigerian economy, yet many struggle due to weak structures, limited access to finance, and inadequate strategic planning. Research that addresses these challenges has direct implications for employment, livelihoods, and national stability.
One of the strongest lessons from the Top 500 ranking is the importance of global collaboration. Collaboration with scholars across different regions of the world enriches research quality and ensures that Nigerian realities are represented within global knowledge conversations. International partnerships improve visibility, strengthen credibility, and ensure that local perspectives are not excluded from global solutions. Each Nigerian scholar engaged in meaningful global collaboration strengthens the country’s intellectual presence.
Global relevance increasingly matters in today’s research ecosystem. Rankings influence who attracts funding, who participates in policy discussions, and who helps shape international best practices. Scholars whose work appears in well-indexed journals are trusted because their research meets global standards. That trust opens doors to partnerships, joint projects, and policy engagement. When Nigerian scholars are globally visible, the nation benefits collectively. Yet academic impact should not be confined to journals alone. Research achieves its highest value when it speaks to society.
Public engagement through opinion writing, policy dialogue, and accessible communication ensures that complex ideas reach everyday readers and decision-makers. When research informs public debate, it becomes a powerful tool for national progress. Some scholarly insights have also reached international audiences through syndicated platforms, allowing global readers to engage with Nigerian perspectives on business, sustainability, and economic development.
What also stands out about this ranking is consistency. Inclusion over multiple years is not accidental. It reflects discipline, intellectual curiosity, and sustained effort. For Nigeria, such consistency among its leading scholars is reassuring. It demonstrates that despite the challenges facing the education sector, academic excellence remains achievable.
The broader message of the Top 500 ranking is clear: Nigeria possesses significant intellectual capital, and it must be taken seriously. Development in the modern world is no longer driven solely by physical infrastructure or natural resources. It is driven by ideas by research that informs policy, strengthens institutions, and fuels innovation. Countries that invest in knowledge thrive; those that neglect it fall behind. As a nation, there is a need to do more to support scholars through better funding, stronger research environments, and policies that reward excellence and collaboration. Equally important is encouraging academics to engage with society, industry, and government. Research should not exist in isolation; it should be integrated into national planning and development strategies.
Recognition on platforms such as SciVal should therefore be seen not as a personal milestone, but as part of a broader Nigerian story, one of resilience, intellect, and growing global relevance. Across the country, many scholars are doing impactful work, often quietly and without recognition. This ranking, therefore, shines a light on our painstaking research contributions, which can shape Nigeria’s future.
The Top 500 academics represent a foundation upon which sustainable development can be built, and considering them for consultations and advice is not out of place. Because they are selected across all academic disciplines. If this intellectual resource is recognised, supported, and effectively utilised, Nigeria’s voice in the global knowledge economy will continue to grow stronger. Ultimately, rankings and recognition only matter if they lead to meaningful action.
The real question before Nigeria is not how many scholars appear on global lists, but how effectively the nation listens to, supports, and engages its best minds. Across universities and research centres are scholars generating ideas capable of shaping policy, strengthening institutions, and driving innovation, yet too often these voices remain at the margins of national decision-making.
If Nigeria is serious about sustainable development, it must move beyond celebrating excellence to actively integrating research into governance, industry, and public discourse. The future will belong to nations that recognise knowledge as a strategic asset and deliberately harness the insights of their finest thinkers. Engaging the best among us is no longer optional; it is essential to building a resilient, competitive, and forward-looking Nigeria.Good luck!
How may you obtain advice or further information on the article?
Dr Timi Olubiyi is an expert in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, holding a PhD in Business Administration from Babcock University in Nigeria. He is a prolific investment coach, author, columnist, and seasoned scholar. Additionally, he is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) and a registered capital market operator with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He can be reached through his Twitter handle @drtimiolubiyi and via email at [email protected] for any questions, feedback, or comments.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Dr Timi Olubiyi, and do not necessarily reflect the views of others.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has dismissed rumours suggesting Nigerian scholarship students in Morocco have been abandoned, describing the reports as misleading and “deliberately crafted to misinform the public.”
Recently, a video went viral on social media showing that the students studying in Morocco under the federal government scholarship scheme were facing hardships, including homelessness and a lack of medical support.
However, in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, clarified that no Nigerian student on a valid federal government scholarship has been abandoned.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has clarified that no Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned. All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government’s obligations.
“Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance,” Mr Alausa stated.
“The Minister further stated that no new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any time thereafter. Documents being circulated to suggest otherwise are fake, unauthenticated, and constitute a calculated attempt to mislead the public and discredit government policy.
“Dr Alausa explained that the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive policy review, which established that Nigeria now possesses sufficient capacity within its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver the affected programmes locally.
“Consequently, only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries.
“Notwithstanding this policy shift, the Federal Government remains fully committed to students already enrolled under the previous arrangements and will continue to support them until the completion of their programmes.
“In addition, students who may prefer to discontinue their studies abroad may formally write to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards. Such students are being offered the option of returning to Nigeria, where they will be seamlessly reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice. The Federal Government will also cover their return travel costs to ensure a smooth and orderly transition,” the statement noted.
According to the Minister, the current administration remains committed to eliminating inefficiencies and abuses within the scholarship system, stressing that past practices that sponsored overseas training for courses already well established in Nigeria placed avoidable financial burdens on the nation.
He reaffirmed that the ongoing reforms are therefore aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources.
The federal government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students and strongly rejects misinformation, blackmail, or any attempt to undermine policies designed to strengthen national capacity and safeguard the integrity of the education sector.
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