The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, at the 2026 budget defence, requested more funding for education in the country.

Alausa, defending the 2026 budget proposal of the Federal Ministry of Education before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Education, decried that Nigeria’s education sector is at a critical stage and requires increased funding to address teacher shortages, insecurity and decaying infrastructure.

Alausa disclosed that Federal Unity Colleges face a deficit of over 3,500 teachers, particularly, in science and technical subjects. He warned that many schools remain unfenced and lack electricity and surveillance systems, exposing students to security risks.

He also highlighted shortages in classrooms, laboratories, hostels and ICT facilities, stressing the need for at least 20 per cent budget allocation to education in line with UNESCO recommendations.

The minister said the 2026 proposal aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, focusing on returning out-of-school children to classrooms, improving safety and strengthening tertiary institutions

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Aliyu Dandutse, and Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, Hon. Abubakar Fulata, underscored the importance of adequate funding, stable infrastructure and transparency in implementing the 2026 education budget.