The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged to increase its budgetary allocation for education to eliminate illiteracy in the country. This call was made by Barrister Kunle Muniru, the Founder of Skytop College, during the institution’s 17th graduation and prize-giving ceremony held recently.
Muniru emphasized the need for the government to prioritize education to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He remarked on the impressive number of students receiving awards, indicating that the academic year had been the college’s best in terms of achievements.
He stated, “Our students did excellently well in the JAMB results released. This is a true reflection of the commitment of our teachers, sustained by our students and continuous encouragement by parents at home.”
The graduation ceremony was a joyous occasion, with parents actively participating in celebrating their children’s accomplishments. Muniru praised the parents for their cooperation and encouraged them to motivate their children to remain diligent in their studies.
The call for increased funding in education comes at a time when the government is reportedly planning to raise the education budget to 25% of the national budget. However, current allocations remain significantly below the recommendations set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which suggests that countries should allocate at least 15-20% of their budgets to education.
Despite the government’s efforts to enhance funding, critics argue that the proposed budget for education in 2024, which stands at approximately 6.39% of the total budget, is insufficient to bring about meaningful change. The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed disappointment, stating that the allocation is too low to effect significant improvements in the sector.
The urgent call for increased budgetary allocation for education highlights the critical need for the Nigerian government to invest more in this vital sector. By doing so, it can work towards eradicating illiteracy and ensuring that all children have access to quality education, ultimately contributing to the nation’s development and alignment with global standards.
