The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed dissatisfaction with the education budgets for 2025, criticizing both the Federal and state governments for their inadequate allocations to the education sector. The union described these budgets as a clear indication of the government’s disregard for the importance of education.
In his address to the National Assembly on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu proposed a N49.70tn budget for 2025, with only N3.52tn (7%) allocated to education. This allocation is well below the 26% recommended by UNESCO and Nigeria’s own National Policy on Education, as well as the World Bank’s recommendation of 20-30% of government budgets for education annually.
The dissatisfaction is not limited to the federal level, as 18 states, including Lagos, Delta, and Bayelsa, allocated less than 26% of their budgets to education. Other states such as Plateau, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Bauchi also allocated figures below the recommended threshold.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, voiced disappointment over these budgetary allocations, stating that the government’s continued allocation of just 7% for education reflects a lack of commitment to addressing the sector’s challenges. He also pointed out that despite the large-sounding N3.5tn allocation, rising electricity costs for universities and the worsening exchange rate have significantly diminished the value of the funds.
Osodeke raised concerns about the government’s failure to release previously budgeted funds, citing the N300bn earmarked for university revitalization in 2023 that had not been disbursed. He questioned whether the 2025 budgeted funds would suffer the same fate, expressing skepticism about the government’s commitment to fully funding the sector.
