International educator and lawyer, Jacob Sule has proffered solutions on how elected government officials can tackle challenges facing the country’s education sector.
Sule lamented the alarming statistics of Nigeria’s out-of-school children which is one of the highest globally.
He noted that the country’s education sector is grappling with systemic challenges, from underfunding and infrastructural decay to teacher shortages and a lack of access, especially in rural areas.
In an article titled: “Political weaponization of Education in Nigeria”, Sule faulted the budgetary educational allocation over the years which has remained below the recommended 15-20% of total government expenditure as stipulated by UNESCO.
He said: “Electoral manifestos are essential to democratic elections worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. Political candidates and parties release manifestos outlining their vision and policies to garner voter support.
“In Nigeria, the education sector is often a focal point of these manifestos, with promises of reforms to tackle the many challenges that plague the system. However, as history has shown, these promises often remain unfulfilled, raising concerns about the authenticity of political pledges and the long-term consequences for Nigeria’s educational landscape.
“Nigeria’s education sector is in crisis, grappling with systemic challenges, from underfunding and infrastructural decay to teacher shortages and a lack of access, especially in rural areas.
“According to UNESCO, Nigeria has one of the highest out-of-school children globally, with over 10.5 million out of school. This dire situation demands immediate and effective education reform, making it a crucial aspect of political manifestos during election seasons.
“In the lead-up to general elections in Nigeria, major political parties, including the All-Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and recently, the Labour Party, highlighted education reforms in their manifestos. Promises ranged from improving school infrastructure and providing free education to addressing teacher welfare and enhancing vocational training. However, despite the emphasis on education, the sector has continued to deteriorate post-election.
“There is a massive disconnect between promises and reality. One of the primary reasons for the failure of education reforms in Nigeria is the disconnect between political promises and actionable policy. Manifestos are often crafted as political tools designed to appeal to a broad electorate without the requisite planning or budgeting to implement the promised changes.
“Budgetary educational allocations remain well below the recommended 15-20% of total government expenditure, as stipulated by UNESCO. In 2021, Nigeria allocated only 5.6% of its national budget to education, a far cry from what is needed to address the sector’s challenges. Without adequate funding, the promises made in manifestos are rarely realized.”
Sule who is the founder and executive Director of iRead To Live Initiative, stressed that education is important to be treated as a mere campaign slogan.
He said: “Education as a political tool is not unique to Nigeria, but it has particularly severe consequences in the Nigerian context. Education is often weaponized during elections, with candidates making grand promises to capture the votes of parents, teachers, and young people.
“However, these promises are seldom accompanied by realistic implementation plans, leaving the electorate disillusioned after elections. The politics of promise in Nigeria’s education sector often revolve around flashy campaign slogans rather than substantive policy discussions.
“Candidates may promise free education for all, improved school facilities, or the creation of new universities. Still, they become more than political rhetoric with a concrete framework for achieving these goals. The failure to fulfill electoral promises in the education sector has led to a profound sense of disappointment among the electorate.
“One of the most significant impacts is the growing distrust between the electorate and the political class. Nigerian voters, particularly young people, are increasingly disillusioned with politicians who fail to deliver their campaign promises. This disappointment underscores the urgent need for a change in how education is addressed in political manifestos.
“Furthermore, the lack of progress in education reform exacerbates existing inequalities. In rural areas and regions affected by conflict, such as the Northeast, where the Boko Haram insurgency has destroyed hundreds of schools, promises of educational reform are vital for the survival and future of the region’s children. Yet, these promises remain largely unfulfilled, deepening the divide between urban and rural educational outcomes.
“A Path Forward is to champion accountability and realistic planning. Several vital steps must be taken to break the cycle of broken promises in Nigeria’s education sector. First, political parties and candidates must move beyond empty rhetoric and commit to realistic, actionable policies.
“This includes detailed funding plans, timelines for implementation, and transparent accountability mechanisms. Second, voters, civil society, and the media must be more active in holding politicians accountable for their promises. Fact-checking platforms such as BudgIT Tracka’ have started tracking the implementation of campaign promises, including those related to education, but more needs to be done to ensure that politicians are held to account for their pledges.
“This active role in accountability can empower the electorate and civil society to demand the change they want to see in the education sector. In addition, the Nigerian government must prioritize education by increasing budgetary allocations to the sector. Without sufficient funding, even the most well-intentioned policies will fail to materialize.
“Political parties should focus on continuity in education policy. Too often, new administrations discard their predecessors’ programs, leading to a lack of sustained progress. Instead, candidates should commit to building on the successes of previous governments, ensuring that education reforms have a lasting impact. This requires long-term planning and a commitment to continuity rather than short-term, populist measures.
“The role of education in political manifestos will continue to be significant. However, electoral promises must move beyond empty words for the country to achieve meaningful progress in the education sector. Politicians must commit to realistic, well-planned reforms that are backed by the necessary funding and accountability structures.
“Education is too important to be treated as a mere campaign slogan. It is the foundation of Nigeria’s future, and the electorate must demand that politicians treat it with the seriousness it deserves.
“Only then can Nigeria’s education sector realize its full potential and contribute to its long-term development. This underscores the power of the public in shaping political discourse and holding politicians accountable for their promises.”
