The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has urged the National Assembly to provide strong backing for the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2026 budget proposal to address critical teacher shortages, school insecurity, and infrastructure deficits across the country.
Alausa appealed while defending the ministry’s 2026 budget before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Education at the National Assembly on Thursday, stressing that increased investment is essential to reposition the sector.
He assured lawmakers that once approved, the budget would be faithfully implemented to deliver measurable and transformative outcomes capable of strengthening Nigeria’s education system.
The minister advocated for Nigeria to adopt UNESCO’s recommendation of allocating a minimum of 20 per cent of the national budget to education, describing it as a benchmark necessary for sustainable development and global competitiveness.
“Education is the backbone of national development. Without adequate funding, our schools cannot equip students with the knowledge and skills required to compete globally and thrive in the 21st century,” he said.
Highlighting the staffing crisis, Alausa disclosed that federal unity colleges are currently facing a deficit of more than 3,500 teachers, particularly in science, mathematics, and technical subjects, a gap he said is undermining quality education delivery.
He also raised concerns about insecurity in schools, especially in areas vulnerable to kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery, noting that many institutions lack perimeter fencing, reliable electricity and modern surveillance systems to protect students and staff.
The minister further pointed to infrastructure shortages, including inadequate classrooms, hostels, laboratories, and libraries, warning that overcrowded learning spaces and outdated equipment are limiting students’ practical learning and research capabilities.
Alausa called for major investments in ICT infrastructure to modernise teaching and learning and proposed the creation of a dedicated, ring-fenced scholarship account to ensure timely disbursement of funds to beneficiaries, particularly those studying abroad.
He noted that the 2026 budget aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority areas and the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that investing in education is investing in Nigeria’s future and urging lawmakers to prioritise the sector as a national imperative.
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