Peter Obi slams FG over education crisis, blames ‘weak leadership’

Presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized the Federal Government's management of Nigeria's education sector, arguing that the recent decision to phase out the policy separating junior and senior secondary schools stems from years of underfunding and weak leadership, not inherent flaws in the policy itself.

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The Federal Government has finally admitted to its poor management of the education sector. Recently, the Minister of Education acknowledged that the policy separating junior and senior secondary schools has failed to improve educational outcomes. This is evident in recent examination results.

Obi pointed to the Minister of Education's acknowledgment that the policy had failed to improve learning outcomes, a sentiment he believes is reflected in recent examination results. He highlighted that only 38.32% of candidates passed both English Language and Mathematics in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, with a similar low pass rate for the computer-based WASSCE in 2025. "This admission is tragic because education is the most vital contributor to human capital development," Obi stated, emphasizing its foundational role in societal growth and economic development.

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This admission is tragic because education is the most vital contributor to human capital development, which forms the foundation for growth and economic development of any society. We cannot overcome economic stagnation without prioritising education, healthcare and job creation to lift millions of unemployed youths out of poverty.

Further underscoring the crisis, Obi noted that Nigeria's education budget for 2026 allocated ₦3.52 trillion, merely 6.17% of total expenditure. This figure falls significantly short of the 15-20% benchmark recommended by UNESCO, indicating a failure to recognize education's potential as a driver of sustained economic growth. He also lamented reports of Nigeria failing to sponsor students to international science competitions due to inadequate funding, contrasting this with government spending on "irrelevant international conferences."

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This low allocation indicates a failure to recognise education as a driver of sustained economic growth.

Obi maintained that the core problem is not the junior/senior secondary school structure but the government's "lack of commitment to properly fund, manage, and deliver quality education." He drew a parallel to his own record in Anambra State, where he asserted his administration transformed the education sector through sustained investment.

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It is heartbreaking that the government can sponsor hundreds to irrelevant international conferences yet fail to support its brightest students on the world stage.