The Nigerian education system has long been the subject of public concern and media scrutiny, widely regarded as a victim of institutional failure. Years of government neglect have left this vital sector vulnerable, increasingly dominated by private operators whose motivations are driven more by profit than by the pursuit of academic excellence. While the education sector does not exist in a vacuum, indeed, it mirrors the broader Nigerian socio-political structure mired in corruption and inefficiency, it has suffered acutely from a lack of effective oversight.
The unchecked proliferation of substandard, so-called “mushroom” schools across the country is a glaring evidence to this failure. To date, there is no robust mechanism for regulating or monitoring what is happening within the system. It is an indisputable truth that education is the foundation of any progressive society. Yet, it is deeply troubling that Nigeria’s education sector ranks among the worst in the African sub-region, despite the country’s vast endowment in human and natural resources. This is a damning indictment of the system’s managers, past and present. No nation can expect to thrive while neglecting a sector as essential as education.
The ongoing wave of innovation, technology, and development globally is being powered by quality education. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. The situation is dire. According to UNICEF, 10.5 million Nigerian children aged 5 to 14 are out of school, placing Nigeria at the top of the global chart for out-of-school children. Beyond poverty and lack of access, many young Nigerians today are growing increasingly disillusioned with formal education. The widespread belief that academic achievement no longer guarantees success, fueled by the visibility of non-traditional paths to wealth, is eating deep into the collective value placed on education.
This perception is compounded by a host of systemic failures: underfunding, decaying infrastructure, demoralised teachers, poor governance, and a growing army of unemployed graduates. The result is a vicious cycle of apathy, decline, and disrepair. In rural areas, the situation is even worse. Academic performance remains abysmally low, and yet, policy interventions by the government remain grossly inadequate. One of the few positive developments is the ongoing handover of schools to religious missions, especially the Catholic Church, a move that has, in some cases, brought a semblance of order and quality back into the classroom.
This step, albeit small, deserves commendation. However, the rot runs deeper. While the government must shoulder much of the blame, the role of parents and school authorities cannot be ignored. It takes a collective effort to rebuild the education sector. Unfortunately, there are countless reports of parents abetting exam malpractice and even purchasing grades to secure placements in top schools, an act that only serves to deepen the crisis. The time for action is now. The paltry 7.9% allocation to education in the 2025 federal budget is a drop in the ocean.
If Nigeria is serious about reversing the current decline and building a future-ready generation, this figure must be substantially increased. Real investment, both financial and political, is urgently needed. We call on the government to urgently tackle the crisis of out-of-school children and revamp learning conditions across both urban and rural communities. Education, a cornerstone of national development, must not be left in the hands of individuals who lack the passion and vision to manage it effectively
