Nigerian leaders call for increased education funding and reform

Prominent figures in Nigeria are calling for a significant increase in education funding to drive national development. During the 66th Founders’ Day Lecture at the University of Nigeria, former Minister of Power Prof. Bart Nnaji emphasized that adequate investment is essential for building a globally competitive economy. He advocated for prioritizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and urged for stronger partnerships between universities and industries to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace skills.

In a separate address at the 2026 Enugu Education Summit, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah called for the declaration of a national emergency in the education sector. Mbah introduced the Enugu Education Policy, stressing that education must be reflected in national budgets, teacher development, and infrastructure. He argued that the cost of ignorance would far exceed the current costs of educational investment. His administration's focus on education has received recognition from international organizations including UNICEF and UNESCO.