Peter Obi Urges More Education Funding

Peter Obi urges more education funding

Peter Obi has urged the Federal Government to focus on better leadership, stronger funding and improved learning facilities to tackle Nigeria’s education problems instead of relying on policy changes alone.

The former presidential candidate made the call after the Federal Government admitted that the policy separating junior and senior secondary schools has not produced the expected results in the country’s education system.

Obi said the government’s admission matches the poor performance recorded in recent national examinations. He referred to the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, where only 38.32 per cent of candidates passed both English Language and Mathematics.

He also pointed to the 2025 computer-based WASSCE, where only 32 per cent of candidates achieved passes in the two core subjects.According to him, the results recorded over the past two years show that the education sector needs broader reforms.

He said education remains one of the most important parts of national development because it helps build skilled citizens, grow the economy and reduce poverty.

He added that Nigeria cannot make lasting progress without giving proper attention to education, healthcare and job creation.Obi also faulted the level of funding provided for education in the 2026 federal budget.

He noted that the sector received ₦3.52 trillion, which represents 6.17 per cent of total government spending. He said the figure is lower than the 7.87 per cent allocated in 2025 and remains far below the 15 to 20 per cent level recommended by UNESCO.

He said the budget allocation shows that education is still not being treated as a major part of the country’s long-term growth plans.

The former Anambra State governor also referred to concerns raised by education advocate Alex Onyia, who disclosed that Nigeria could not sponsor students to international Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics competitions because of limited funding.

Obi described the development as disappointing, saying it was worrying that public funds could be used for overseas conferences while talented students missed the chance to represent the country in global academic contests.

He argued that the poor state of education is linked more to inadequate funding, weak administration and lack of political commitment than to the structure of junior and senior secondary education.

Looking back at his time as governor of Anambra State, Obi said his administration invested in schools by providing laptops, internet access, generators and other learning facilities.

He said those efforts helped improve the quality of education in the state.He also stated that Anambra’s large purchase of computers for secondary schools received recognition from HP Africa as the biggest laptop acquisition for schoolchildren by any subnational government on the continent.

Obi called on the Federal Government to give greater attention to education, healthcare and job creation, warning that neglecting these sectors would create deeper problems for the country in the years ahead.

He ended by repeating his belief that Nigeria can achieve a better future through the right choices and proper investment in its people.