BUHARI’S BUDGET ON EDUCATION: WHEN EDUCATION NO LONGER MATTER IN NIGERIA ~ Savn Daniel

In 2013 Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed N426.53 billion for the Education sector in the 2013 budget.

In 2011, out of the N4.971 trillion approved by the Senate, as against N4.22 trillion budget proposal presented by @GEJonathan, Education came second with N306.3 billion allocated to it while in the 2012 budget of N4.7 trillion, Education also came second with N400 billion.

There was a systematic increment in the budgetary allocation to education from 2010, 2013 and 15. Thus, from 2010-2011, the sector had N56.917b as increment.

Between 2011 and 2012, it recorded additional N94.3b, while from 2012 -2013.It was an indication of the recognition by the @GEJonathan government of the power of education in addressing many of the challenges facing Nigeria at the time (and even today).

Education (not the Affidavit generated type), is the antidote to poverty and ignorance and the key for unlocking natural resources.

There is hardly any nation that is striving for accelerated development, without hugely investing in education.Education will not solve all of society’s ills, but without education, no solution is possible.

Through education (and I mean quality education), the challenges facing Nigeria relating to youth unemployment, crime and insurgency, will be severely, if not thoroughly reduced.

A nation whose investment in education is not sustained at a high level over the next decades, will invest more in cows, RUGA and other sister schemes that demonizes it.

A state’s budget for education shows the extent to which the Government values education.

Always know that we cannot talk Security, effective Government and progress outside education.

This is what people fail to see .@MBuhari’s N48 billion is below the 26% @UNESCO recommendation for education. Let that sink. A State being run by people whose interest is more in cows than human being, treats education with scorn.

With this salvo from @MBuhari as a reaction to the fast dying educational sector, one thing becomes obvious: Nigerian leaders are more interested in raising cows, than human being.Jonathan administration approved the creation of 12 new federal universities in states that, before then, had no federal university.

They include Kogi (Lokoja), Nasarawa (Lafia), Gombe (Kashere), Taraba (Wukari), Jigawa (Dutse) and Katsina (Dutsin-ma), to mention but a few.

The budgetary allocation to the ministry of education in 2010 — when Jonathan was Yar’Adua’s deputy — was N295 billion. However, the amount increased considerably to N356.4 billion in 2011, Jonathan’s first full year on the job.

And it kept increasing subsequently: N400.1 billion in 2012; N432.6 billion in 2013, N495.2 billion in 2014 before dropping slightly to N483.1 billion in 2015.
Under Muhammadu Buhari, it dropped to N367.73 bn (6.01 percent) in 2016 and N448.01bn (approximately 6 percent) in 2017.

@GEJonathan commissioned Nigeria’s first Maritime university, located in Okerenkoko community in Warri, Delta State, in 2014. The Jonathan-administration upgraded the Nigerian Police Academy in Kano to a degree-awarding institution in March 2015.

Lower education levels are linked to poverty and poverty is one of the chief causative factors of crime whether it is terrorism or militancy or felonies.

– @GEJonathan

If we do not spend billions educating our youth today, we will spend it fighting insecurity tomorrow. And you do not have to spend on education just because of insecurity. It is also the prudent thing to do.

– @GEJonathan

Nigeria, or any African nation for that matter, can never become wealthy by selling more minerals or raw materials such as oil. Our wealth, as a nation, is between the ears of our people.

A stable and democratic society is impossible without widespread acceptance of some common set of values and without a minimum degree of literacy and knowledge on the part of most citizens. Education contributes to both.

Education is a natural right entitled to any individual and a critical social and economic development. It benefits the society in social ways Therefore it is essential for the government to invest in education since it yields progressive externalities.

Education fights poverty in the nation and the society. Hence, as the Government gives education to its citizens, it will be significantly investing in its future economy and status.

Education in a broad sense improves the capabilities of individuals and the
capacity of institutions, and becomes a catalyst for the closely interrelated
economic, social, cultural, and demographic changes that become defined as national development.

Education at all levels contributes to economic growth through imparting
attitudes and skills necessary for a variety of workplaces. Education also
contributes to economic growth by improving health and reducing fertility, and – possibly – by contributing to political stability.

Disclaimer:

As an editorial policy, Breaking Times neither oppose nor endorse any opinion and contribution expressed by our writers and contributors. Contributions are strictly that of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Breaking Times.

Op-Ed Contribution:

Our platform is for you. Want to submit an Op-Ed? If yes, kindly send your article and short biography to youreport@thebreakingtimes.com