The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s chronic underfunding of its education sector, warning that the nation’s future is at risk if urgent reforms are not implemented.
Speaking at the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Alausa revealed that federal allocations to education have consistently remained between 5 and 8 per cent of the national budget far below the 15–20 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO.
He stressed that this funding gap has led to decaying infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories, and outdated libraries, while also limiting access to higher education.
“Nigeria has over 200 universities, but our carrying capacity is far below demand. Over 2 million qualified candidates apply for less than 500,000 spaces annually. This is a ticking time bomb,” Alausa warned.
The minister further highlighted the mismatch between university curricula and labour market needs, noting that many graduates lack critical thinking, digital skills, and
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