Nigeria, the most populous African nation, with about 41.3% of its population as children, is yet to solve its education crisis. With one-in-five out-of-school children globally from Nigeria, and the total number of out-of-school children amounting to 183 million, a state of emergency needs to be declared in the education sector.

According to the United Nations International Children's Education Fund (UNICEF), a country's budget should allocate at least 20% to the education sector. UNESCO also admits that 4-6% of the country's GDP has to be allocated to education to achieve the sustainable development goal of quality education.

Nigeria’s Education Budget Allocation

Over the years, Nigeria's budget allocation for education has been way below UNICEF's standard. The 2024 budget allocation provides ₦1.5 trillion for the federal ministry and ₦81 billion spread across other ministries, departments and agencies. The allocation provides about 7.9% of the 2024 budget, a bit higher than in previous years. The provision for Universal Basic Education is 11.5% of the total allocation, while 32.1% goes to TETFUND and 56.24% goes to other ministries, departments, and agencies.  

Earlier in the year, the government announced a sum of ₦5.1 billion for the research funding of 185 proposals out of 4,287 concept notes submitted to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). TETFund was first established under the Education Trust Fund Act of 1993, as amended in 1998. It was later repealed and renamed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act of 2011. The fund provides for a  2% education tax on the accessible profits of all registered companies in Nigeria.

Allocations for TETFund and other projects have been made in previous years, but the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) revealed that it does not receive any allocation on capital projects. Instead, it has been remitting allowances to the federal government since 2017. In 2018, the board remitted ₦5.2 billion, ₦3.6 billion in 2019, ₦3.8 billion in 2020, ₦3.5 billion in 2021, and ₦3.1 billion in 2022.

Global Best Practices on Budget Allocation on Education

Adequate education budgets promote economic growth, reduce inequality, and improve a country's overall quality of life. On a global scale, governments have implemented numerous strategies and initiatives to guarantee that the education system is effectively managed and adequately funded. Different countries have different practices on budget allocation for education.

Finland's investment in education is its source of substantial development. Finland allocates approximately 7% of its GDP to education, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage from early childhood to higher education. The investment also ensures that all schools, irrespective of location, have access to the essential funding, complementing the equitable distribution of resources. In contrast, the education system in Canada is significantly decentralised. Funding is predominantly managed by provincial and local governments, enabling the development of strategies tailored to the specific requirements of various regions. The federal government provides block grants to these provinces, which are augmented by local taxes. This method guarantees that funding decisions are made in proximity to the institutions and communities they impact.

Norway is a global leader in primary education. Its government distributes substantial advantages to both individuals and society. Assuring that all children have access to high-quality services, Norway allocates the majority of its resources to early childhood education and care (ECEC). Fostering children's learning and development establishes a solid foundation for their future education.

In Africa, countries like South Africa allocate about 6% of their GDP to education and 20% of their total government expenditures to education. Although there is still polarisation between urban and rural areas in terms of quality access to education, there is still some light in achieving more for their educational sectors.

Effective educational budget allocation necessitates dedication to equity and quality, meticulous planning, and innovative approaches. Nevertheless, countries can establish robust and responsive education systems that cater to the needs of all learners by prioritising education in national budgets, implementing decentralised and performance-based funding models, prioritising equity, leveraging public-private partnerships, ensuring transparency, and investing in early childhood education.

The Impact Of Budget Allocation on Education Outcomes

In April 2024, the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board announced that only 27% of the students who took its Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) in 2024 had 200 out of 400 marks. Although the examination faces many challenges, including multiple registrations, examination malpractices, and impersonation, this year’s result is not unexpected.

Since 2014, JAMB has conducted its exams using computer-based and paper-pencil tests. However, starting in 2015, JAMB shifted its focus to computer-based testing. It has been almost ten years since the introduction of computer-based test systems, and these challenges have not yet been mitigated. These challenges can be traced to the problem of our education system, which trickles from the budget allocation problem.

A properly allocated budget for education would directly or indirectly affect the outcomes of examinations like UTME. When school infrastructure is invested in, including buildings, classrooms, libraries, and laboratories, an environment favourable for learning is established. Furthermore, properly cared-for facilities are crucial for efficient instruction and education, influencing student presence, drive, and scholastic success.

Allocating funds for technology integration ensures students have the necessary resources, such as computers, internet connection, and digital learning platforms. Technology improves interactive learning quality, facilitates education, and equips students with essential skills for the digital economy. This will also translate into a better use of the UTME computer-based test. In addition, appropriate distribution of funds guarantees that teachers receive competitive remuneration, which in turn helps to attract and retain educators of high calibre.

Finally, it offers financial resources for professional development, allowing teachers to improve their abilities and remain informed about recent educational methodologies. Teachers who receive generous compensation and undergo comprehensive training are more proficient in the classroom, resulting in enhanced student performance and involvement.

References

Atungwu, M. (2023, December 21). JAMB does not receive allocation for capital projects – Registrar. Daily Post Nigeria. https://dailypost.ng/2023/12/21/jamb-does-not-receive-allocation-for-capital-projects-registrar/

Education International. (2012, February 7).  Finland: Investment in quality education yields results. https://www.ei-ie.org/en/item/18371:finland-investment-in-quality-education-yields-results.

Ohaegbulem, E. U., & Chijioke, S. C. (2023). On Nigeria’s budgetary allocations to the education sector (1960-2023) in view of UNESCO’s benchmarks. International Journal of Mathematics and Statistics Studies, 11(4), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.37745/ijmss.13/vol11n43244

Robson, K. L. (2019, September 11). The structure of education in Canada. Pressbooks. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/robsonsoced/chapter/__unknown__-4/

Tijani, M. (2015, March 16). How prepared is JAMB for full-fledged CBT? | TheCable. TheCable. https://www.thecable.ng/prepared-jamb-full-fledged-cbt/