NIGERIA’S public primary education system is dying. In a competitive learning globe, many public primary schools in the country are, at best, pigsties and ranches rather than spaces to equip future leaders.
This is bad governance ethos. Without delay, state governors should prioritise education by robustly investing, providing infrastructure, and implementing sustainable policies.
The images in the public domain are heartrending. The absence of government is glaring as community efforts to salvage the school are inadequate. This is the antithesis of quality education.
In 2024, the Presidency spent N21 billion on the renovation of the Vice-President’s official residence through budgetary allocations earmarked to the FCT. Wike built houses for judges and gave N150 million to 23 judges who declined the housing offer. This is a misplacement of priorities because education is more important than these projects.
Unfortunately, the malaise permeates all over the country as state governors display nonchalance to public education.
In 2024, 27 states refused to provide counterpart funding to access the N54.9 billion Universal Basic Education Commission Fund, meant to train teachers and provide infrastructure for public primary schools.
While state governments are enamoured with grandiose white elephants like airports and bridges, UBEC stated that 50 per cent of schools in Nigeria lack furniture, including chairs and desks.
Alarmingly, the shortage of teachers is compounded by their poor remuneration. They are poorly motivated to do the work.
UNICEF states that 18.3 million children are out-of-school, making Nigeria the country with the second highest out-of-school children in the world.
Therefore, states should resuscitate the rested school-feeding programme to increase admissions.
At a time when the Chinese and other global students are exploring innovation through computers and artificial intelligence, Nigeria lags.
By denying children quality education, Nigeria continues to commit a crime and infringe on universal rights.
UNESCO states that “education is a fundamental human right and a global public good…” while Sustainable Development Goal 4 expects Nigeria to focus on ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
State governors should borrow a leaf from the book of the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who recently declared a state of emergency on public schools after touring the state and realising the unpalatable situation. They should take actionable steps to evaluate, overhaul, and transform public education in their domains.
Although many Nigerian elite attended free public schools, they have abandoned public schools to ruin. In turn, they send their wards abroad.
They should lead by example instead of paying lip service to education.
BY
OLATOMIWA SALAMI
