The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has urged the National Assembly to provide robust support for the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2026 budget, highlighting the urgent need to address critical teacher shortages and persistent infrastructure deficits across the nation’s schools.
Alausa made the appeal during his appearance before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Education, where he defended the Ministry’s 2026 budget proposal.
The minister assured the Committees that, once approved, the proposed budget would be faithfully implemented, delivering tangible outcomes that demonstrate the transformative impact of sustained investment in education.
Alausa also highlighted security challenges in schools, especially in areas vulnerable to kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery, noting that many schools remain unfenced and lack reliable electricity, thereby limiting the operation of modern security systems and leaving students and staff exposed to risks.
The minister also drew attention to critical shortages in classrooms, hostels, laboratories, and library facilities, warning that overcrowded classrooms, outdated laboratory equipment, and inadequate library collections are hampering students’ practical learning and research capabilities.
He also highlighted the low penetration of ICT in schools, calling for major investments in computers, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to modernize teaching, enhance student engagement, and prepare learners for the demands of a knowledge-driven global economy.
He recommended that all foreign payments be made in local currencies or US dollars to protect students from exchange rate volatility.
