Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain and 2027 presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s education challenges are rooted more in leadership failure and weak accountability than in lack of funding.
In a statement titled “Education Challenge: Not Funding but failure of leadership and Accountability” posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, May 20, Obi reacted to recent comments by the Minister of Education, describing them as alarming.
He noted that despite receiving nearly 80 per cent of educational donor funding over the past decade, the North-West and North-East regions still record the lowest literacy and numeracy levels in the country.
Obi argued that financial allocation alone cannot guarantee quality education without transparent and effective management of resources.
“This issue goes beyond just a lack of funding; it highlights failures in leadership, accountability, and governance. Financial resources alone do not guarantee proper education.
“What truly makes a difference in education is the responsible and transparent management of these funds, aimed at achieving tangible results and a genuine commitment to developing human capital.”
He warned that continued poor outcomes despite heavy investment reflect systemic inefficiency and corruption that undermine human capital development.
“We cannot continue to commend government budgets, donor contributions, and various intervention programs while millions of children in Nigeria still lack basic reading and writing skills, which are essential for thriving in today’s world.
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“The real tragedy lies not just in the numbers, but in the lost potential of countless children whose futures are being compromised by systemic inefficiency and corruption.”
Obi stressed that Nigeria’s long-term stability depends on prioritising education, warning that neglect could deepen poverty, insecurity, and unemployment.
He added that national development hinges on how effectively education funds are managed and translated into measurable outcomes such as improved literacy, school enrolment, and teacher performance.
“The Minister’s statement should prompt a national dialogue on how public funds and donor contributions are utilised.
“Every kobo spent on education must lead to clear improvements in literacy rates, school enrollment, teacher performance, and overall learning outcomes. Anything less is unacceptable.”
Comparing Nigeria with rapidly developing nations, Obi cited countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh as examples of states that invested heavily in education to drive progress.
He called for a shift from policy discussions to practical implementation, urging reforms in school infrastructure, teacher training, system modernisation, and monitoring mechanisms.
Obi also cautioned against mismanagement of funds, insisting that education investments must directly benefit students rather than being diverted through bureaucratic or political channels.
He concluded that a nation’s progress is closely tied to the quality of its education system, adding optimistically: “A brighter future for Nigeria is achievable! -PO”