ASUU Slams FG, States Over Low Education Budgets
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the Federal and state governments for their 2025 education budgets, describing the allocations as evidence of a persistent disregard for the education sector.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented a N49.70 trillion budget proposal for 2025, dubbed the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” during his address to the National Assembly. Of the proposed amount, N3.52 trillion—or seven percent—was allocated to education. This figure includes funding for Universal Basic Education and nine newly established higher institutions.
ASUU noted that the allocation falls significantly short of international standards. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Nigeria’s own National Policy on Education recommend a minimum of 26 percent of national budgets be directed to education. The World Bank advises 20–30 percent annually.
Eighteen states, including Lagos (6.93 percent), Delta (6.89 percent), and Bayelsa (6.83 percent), allocated less than seven percent to education. Other states, such as Plateau (11 percent), Ebonyi (17.68 percent), and Katsina (14 percent), performed slightly better but still fell short of the UNESCO benchmark. Even states with higher allocations, like Oyo (21.44 percent) and Sokoto (25 percent), did not meet the target.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed disappointment in an interview on Friday, criticizing what he called a lack of commitment to revitalizing the education sector.
“Allocating seven percent of the national budget to education is wholly inadequate. While the N3.52 trillion allocation may appear substantial, it fails to address the needs of a sector grappling with inflation, soaring costs, and currency devaluation,” Osodeke said.
He highlighted the rising costs of running universities, noting that electricity expenses alone have ballooned from around N20 million to nearly N300 million in recent years.
Osodeke also expressed doubt over the release of the budgeted funds, citing past unfulfilled promises. “The government allocated N300 billion for university revitalization in 2023, but we are nearing 2025, and those funds are yet to be disbursed. How can we trust that this budget will be any different?”
The ASUU leader warned that the continued underfunding of education threatens the future of Nigerian students and the development of the nation. “A well-funded education sector is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for national growth and stability. The government must do better,” he concluded.
The budget allocations have drawn widespread criticism from stakeholders who argue that meaningful investment in education is crucial for addressing the country’s growing socio-economic challenges.
