Nigeria’s Federal Government Explores Financial Autonomy for Universities
In a progressive move to reshape the tertiary education funding structure, Nigeria’s Federal Government is contemplating granting complete financial autonomy to universities. This announcement was made by Education Minister, Tahir Mamman, at Nigeria’s Annual Education Conference in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has shown unwavering commitment to bolstering the education sector, vowing to boost the education budget to a notable 25%. He also seeks to reintegrate the staggering 10.5 million out-of-school children into the education system by the end of his term.
The conference, focusing on the “Implementation of Education 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” created a dialogue for stakeholders. The discourse revolved around strengthening entrepreneurial capabilities and promoting technical and vocational training. Such efforts align with President Tinubu’s aspiration to open more opportunities for the country’s youth.
Despite the numerous education policies in place, Mamman emphasized the need for actionable results rather than mere policy declarations. The recent tragic event at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, where nursing student Atanda Deborah lost her life, was also highlighted, with calls for heightened security measures.
James O’Donoghue of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) pledged the UK’s continued support for Nigeria in its pursuit of the 2030 SDG goals, underlying the universal significance of quality education.
