By RismadarVoice Media
December 27, 205
A pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), has strongly criticized the Akwa Ibom State Government’s N31.6 billion allocation to the education sector in its proposed 2026 budget, describing it as a contradiction of the much-publicised ARISE Agenda of the Governor Umo Eno administration.
The group also called on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to urgently review the budget and substantially increase funding for education in line with national realities, international best practices.
According to an analysis, Akwa Ibom State earmarked only N31.6 billion, representing 2.27 per cent of its N1.39 trillion 2026 budget, for the education sector.
In a statement issued in Uyo on Saturday, jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Tom FredFish, and Secretary, Mr. Savour Uko, PAPAJ condemned what it described as an “abysmally low” allocation, noting that it falls far below the UNESCO recommendation of 15–20 per cent of public expenditure for education.
“The PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice expresses deep concern, unequivocal condemnation of the abysmally low allocation to education in the Akwa Ibom State Government’s 2026 budget,” the statement said.
The group argued that the allocation exposes what it termed the “insincerity” of the ARISE Agenda, particularly as education constitutes a core pillar of the policy framework.
The statement further compared Akwa Ibom’s allocation with that of other states, citing the report which indicated that Anambra State allocated 46.9 per cent, Enugu State 32.3 per cent, and Kano State 30 per cent of their respective budgets to education.
“These states have demonstrated – through concrete budgetary commitments, that education is a strategic priority, unlike Akwa Ibom State under the current administration,” the group stated.
PAPAJ described it as ironic; that an administration which repeatedly promotes the ARISE Agenda, where the letter “E” stands for Education would allocate nearly 98 per cent of public resources to other sectors.
“No serious government can claim to prioritize education while allocating barely two per cent of its budget to the sector. Education cannot thrive on rhetoric, billboards, or speeches; it requires sustained, substantial investment,” the group added.
The group also stressed that Akwa Ibom, as one of Nigeria’s most financially endowed states, lacks both economic and moral justification for what it described as neglect of education.
“Akwa Ibom is one of Nigeria’s most financially advantaged states. The 2026 budget, as presently constituted, clearly shows that education is not regarded as a priority. The consequences of this neglect will be borne by the youth, the workforce, and the future development of the state,” the statement warned.
PAPAJ therefore urged the state government, lawmakers to urgently revisit the budget, warning that failure to do so would continue to expose the ARISE Agenda as “a hollow mantra, rather than a genuine development blueprint.”
