RismadarVoice Reporters, June 12, 2026
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has expressed concern over the continued underfunding of Nigeria’s education sector, noting that government investment remains significantly below internationally recommended levels and is affecting infrastructure, research and access to quality higher education.
Alausa disclosed that budgetary allocations to education have traditionally ranged between five and eight per cent of the national budget, far below the 15 to 20 per cent benchmark recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The minister made the remarks in a presentation titled “65 Years of Excellence: Obafemi Awolowo University and the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria,” delivered during the grand finale of activities marking the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
According to him, inadequate funding remains one of the most pressing challenges facing tertiary education in Nigeria. He explained that the shortfall has contributed to deteriorating infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories, limited access to modern academic resources and insufficient support for research activities.
Alausa also highlighted the growing pressure on university admissions, pointing out that the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the capacity of existing institutions. He noted that while more than two million candidates seek university admission annually, available spaces are fewer than 500,000, creating a widening gap in access to higher education.
The minister further identified a disconnect between university training and labour market demands, stressing that many graduates leave school without the critical thinking abilities, digital competencies and entrepreneurial skills increasingly required in today’s economy.
He also raised concerns about the continued migration of highly skilled academics and professionals to other regions of the world, describing the trend as a significant loss of talent for the country’s education system and broader development efforts.
On research and innovation, Alausa lamented Nigeria’s low expenditure on research and development, stating that the country invests less than 0.2 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the sector. He argued that such investment levels are insufficient for driving technological advancement and economic transformation, particularly when compared with countries that devote substantially larger portions of their economies to research.
Despite the challenges, the minister expressed optimism about the future of Nigerian universities, describing them as centres of innovation capable of producing solutions to national and global problems. He specifically commended Obafemi Awolowo University for its contributions to academic excellence and research over the years.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities through ongoing reforms and initiatives, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which aims to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent students from pursuing higher education.
He added that the implementation of the revised National Policy on Education forms part of broader efforts to strengthen learning outcomes and improve the quality of education across the country.
In his remarks, OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, described the institution as one of Africa’s leading universities, renowned for academic excellence, impactful research and the production of highly accomplished graduates.
Bamire said the university’s future growth would be driven by innovation, technological advancement, stronger industry collaboration and increased global competitiveness. He stressed that OAU remains committed to advancing research, producing future-ready graduates and contributing to solutions for both local and international challenges.
Founded in 1961 as the University of Ife and renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987, the institution continues to rank among Nigeria’s most respected centres of higher learning.
