LCCI: Nigeria’s Education System Has Funding, Access, Tech, Policy Problems

Nigeria's educational system is grappling with a complex web of issues, including inadequate funding, limited access, technological deficits, and policy misalignment, according to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

LCCI President Mr. Leye Kupoluyi stated at the chamber's education conference that these challenges are interconnected, forming the foundation of the country's future workforce, consumer base, and trade environment. He emphasized that addressing these gaps represents the highest-return investment available to the chamber.

Kupoluyi pointed to the staggering number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, estimated by UNICEF in 2024 at approximately 18.3 million. This figure, comprising 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the secondary level, means Nigeria accounts for roughly one in five of the world's out-of-school children. He noted that federal government funding for education remains significantly below the benchmark required to close this gap.

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Nigeria does not have an education funding problem alone; it has an access, technology, and policy misalignment, and closing that gap is the single highest-return investment available to this chamber.

In 2026, the federal budget allocated N3.52 trillion to education, representing 6.1 percent of total spending. This falls far short of UNESCO's recommended 15-20 percent global benchmark and Nigeria's National Policy on Education threshold of 26 percent. However, Kupoluyi highlighted that some state governments, such as Enugu, Kano, and Jigawa, have demonstrated that substantial funding is achievable with political will. Enugu allocated 32.2 percent of its 2026 budget to education, Kano committed 30 percent, and Jigawa allocated 26 percent.

The LCCI also pointed to successful financing innovations, such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which has disbursed over N32 billion to students since 2024. Furthermore, Nigeria's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to equip 70 percent of young Nigerians aged 16-35 with AI-relevant skills by 2029. The chamber urged the private sector to co-invest in educational infrastructure, viewing education as a critical business story that determines the nation's future.

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Enugu allocated 32.2 per cent of its 2026 budget to education; Kano committed N405.3 billion (30 per cent), and Jigawa committed N234.5 billion (26 per cent), which are proof that the recommended benchmark is achievable within Nigeria’s existing fiscal envelope once political will aligns with policy.