Nigeria’s Education Budget Soars to ₦3.52 Trillion Under President Tinubu

 

Nigeria’s Education Budget Soars to ₦3.52 Trillion Under President Tinubu

Nigeria’s Education Budget Soars to ₦3.52 Trillion Under President Tinubu

Nigeria has taken a bold and promising step toward strengthening its education system as the Federal Government increases the education budget to ₦3.52 trillion in the 2025 Appropriation Act. This significant jump marks one of the largest investments in education in the country’s history and reflects the Tinubu administration’s growing focus on human capital development.

Compared to previous years, the new allocation represents a massive improvement, signaling the government’s intention to tackle long-standing challenges such as out-of-school children, poor infrastructure, underfunded institutions, and limited access to higher education.

Education Declared a National Priority

Speaking at the Nigeria Education Forum in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the rising number of children out of school as a national emergency that requires urgent and collective action. He stressed that education is not just a social service but a foundation for national security, economic growth, and sustainable development.

According to him, the increased budget aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education as a key driver for reducing poverty, unemployment, and inequality across the country.

Moving Beyond Government-Only Funding

The Vice President also emphasized that relying solely on government funding is no longer sustainable. He called for strong partnerships between federal and state governments, the private sector, development partners, communities, and religious organizations to ensure that education financing is both sustainable and impactful.

The forum, themed “Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing,” brought together governors, education commissioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss innovative ways to strengthen the education sector and ensure funds are used effectively.

Major Boosts Across Key Education Agencies

Several education-related institutions received notable increases in funding:

TETFUND Expansion

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) saw a dramatic rise in funding — from about ₦320 billion in 2023 to ₦1.6 trillion in 2025. This funding will support the development of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education through improved infrastructure, research grants, staff training, and academic development.

UBEC Support for Basic Education

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) released over ₦92.4 billion in matching grants to states and the Federal Capital Territory. These funds are expected to improve basic education by building classrooms, providing learning materials, and enhancing teacher training, especially at the grassroots level.

Student Loans Through NELFUND

Under the Student Loans Act of 2024, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has already disbursed ₦86.3 billion to more than 450,000 students in tertiary institutions nationwide. This initiative aims to ensure that no Nigerian student is denied higher education because of financial constraints.

Focus on Teachers, Infrastructure, and Safety

Beyond funding, the Federal Government is placing strong emphasis on:

Teacher training and welfare

Rehabilitation of school infrastructure

Provision of safe and secure learning environments

Community involvement in school management

The Vice President noted that quality education cannot thrive without motivated teachers and safe schools, urging states and local governments to prioritize maintenance and accountability.

A Step Toward a Brighter Future

The ₦3.52 trillion education budget represents more than just numbers — it reflects a renewed commitment to empowering Nigerian children, youths, and future leaders. While challenges remain, stakeholders believe that sustained investment, transparency, and collaboration can transform the education sector and unlock Nigeria’s full potential.

As Nigeria continues on this path, many hope the increased funding will translate into better schools, skilled graduates, reduced unemployment, and long-term national prosperity.