"The Senate has urged the Federal Government to increase funding for education in Nigeria."
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Senate Urges FG to Increase Education Funding to 15% of National Budget
Published: July 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
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Overview
The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to increase the allocation to education from the current 6% to at least 15% of the National Budget. The resolution was passed during the Senate's plenary session on July 3, 2026, following the passage of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill .
The Senate described the current allocation as "grossly inadequate" and insufficient to address the critical challenges facing the education sector .
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Key Details
Detail Information
Date of Resolution July 3, 2026
Current Education Budget ₦3.52 trillion
Percentage of Budget ~6.1%
Senate's Demand At least 15% of National Budget
UNESCO Recommendation 15–20% of national budget
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The Reality Check
Current Funding Falls Short
The 2026 budget allocated ₦3.52 trillion to education, representing only about 6.1% of the national budget . This remains far below the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of 15–20% that Nigeria, as a signatory, is expected to meet .
Historical Context (2022–2025):
Year Budget Allocation Percentage
2022 ₦1.18 trillion 7.2%
2023 ₦1.54 trillion 7.0%
2024 ₦2.18 trillion 7.9%
2025 ₦3.52 trillion 7.3%
2026 ₦3.52 trillion 6.1%
Stakeholders have expressed concern over this trend. Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, chairman of ASUU at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, stated: "There is no way 6% allocated to education can address our educational needs. It shows that the government has not fully committed to tackling the decay of infrastructure in Nigerian universities" .
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Stakeholder Reactions
Education Minister's Push for 20%
During the budget defence session before the Senate and House Joint Committee on Education, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa urged the National Assembly to support increased funding, warning of critical challenges .
Key Points from the Minister:
· Teacher Shortage: Federal Unity Colleges are grappling with a deficit of over 3,500 teachers, severely affecting science, mathematics, and technical subjects
· Infrastructure Crisis: Many schools lack perimeter fencing, reliable electricity, and modern security systems
· ICT Gap: Low penetration of computers, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools
· Classroom Overcrowding: Outdated laboratories and inadequate library facilities hamper practical learning
The Minister emphasized: "We aim to convince the National Assembly that a minimum of 20 per cent allocation to education, as recommended by UNESCO, should serve as the benchmark for future budgets" .
Civil Society Advocacy
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), warned: "We are witnessing persistent underfunding of education in Nigeria, which has resulted in poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, weak learning outcomes and rising youth unemployment" .
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Why 15% Matters
The push for 15% is based on UNESCO's long-standing recommendation that developing nations allocate 15% to 20% of their annual national budget to education . According to experts, achieving this benchmark would:
· ✅ Clear debt owed to teachers
· ✅ Rebuild and equip schools with modern facilities
· ✅ Improve security in schools
· ✅ Attract and retain qualified teachers
· ✅ Reduce poverty and inequality
· ✅ Boost productivity and create employment
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Next Steps
Action Status
Senate Resolution Passed ✅ July 3, 2026
Communicate to Executive Pending
Implementation in 2027 Budget To be determined
📌 Editor's Note: This article is based on official announcements from the Nigerian Senate, UNESCO recommendations, and verified news sources as of July 2026. The Senate's resolution is a call to action; actual implementation will depend on the 2027 budget process.