27 Years After Democracy, Nigeria Still Underfunds Education, Chidoka Warns

Nigeria's public investment in education has fallen drastically below recommended international standards, with total spending in 2026 amounting to a mere 2.14 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This alarming figure was presented in a new analysis by former Aviation Minister and policy advocate Osita Chidoka.

Speaking at the 70th Anniversary Gala of the Ekulu Primary School Alumni Association in Enugu, Chidoka declared the situation a "national emergency." He warned that decades of underinvestment have severely weakened the nation's education system and consequently undermined its overall development. The analysis, compiled by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, consolidated spending from federal, state, and local government levels, totaling approximately ₦9.49 trillion against a projected 2026 GDP of ₦442.8 trillion.

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The figure is in fact a national emergency.

Chidoka highlighted that Nigeria's education spending lags behind many other African and emerging economies. South Africa spends 6.7 percent of GDP on education, Brazil 5.6 percent, Kenya 4.8 percent, India 4.1 percent, and Ghana 3.4 percent. "Nigeria is not in the middle of the developing world on this measure. It is below its floor," Chidoka stated, emphasizing that the issue has been treated too casually for too long.

Despite the grim national picture, the report identified emerging examples of educational leadership at the subnational level. Anambra State leads the federation with 46.9 percent of its 2026 budget allocated to education, followed by Enugu State with 32.2 percent. Other states like Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, and Abia were also cited for prioritizing education. However, the report noted that even in Lagos, with substantial overall expenditure, only 5.6 percent of its total budget went to education, suggesting financial capacity alone does not guarantee commitment.

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Nigeria is not in the middle of the developing world on this measure. It is below its floor. We have been treating this as a routine budget conversation for too long.