Nigeria’s public primary education system is on the brink of collapse. In a world where global education standards are rapidly advancing, many public primary schools in Nigeria resemble dilapidated spaces rather than institutions of learning. This situation is a direct consequence of poor governance and neglect. It is critical that state governors make education a priority by significantly investing in infrastructure and implementing sustainable policies to restore the system.

The Dire State of Schools in the FCT

The situation is especially dire in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the decay is glaring. Recently, parents withdrew their children from the Local Government Authority Primary School in Jijimgba, Kuje Area Council, due to its deplorable condition. Students were forced to sit on the floor because there were no desks or chairs, and their teacher had to sit on the window. This is an unacceptable state of affairs, and it underscores the failure of the government to provide basic educational facilities.

Similarly, the LEA Primary School in Sabon Gari-Orida, Karshi, is another example of the crisis. An NGO focused on education reform, MoniTNG, reported that over 500 children are learning in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. Established in 2008, the school was built by the community using mud blocks, but it remains in a state of severe neglect. Pupils are forced to sit on bare floors, and the classrooms are so dilapidated that they pose serious safety risks, including snakes hiding in the cracks.

Strike Actions and Unpaid Wages

The crisis is further compounded by ongoing strike actions in the FCT, where school teachers and local council employees, under the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), have gone on strike over unpaid wages. The dispute centers on the non-payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and outstanding arrears. Despite efforts by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene, the issue remains unresolved, and the strike continues to affect school activities.

A Misplaced Priority

While the Nigerian government spends billions on infrastructure projects like the renovation of the Vice-President’s official residence, the education sector remains severely underfunded. In 2024, the Presidency allocated N21 billion for this project, while Wike’s government focused on building houses for judges and offering N150 million to 23 judges who declined the housing offer. This is a clear misplacement of priorities. Education should be the cornerstone of national development, yet it is being ignored in favor of less critical projects.

The Need for Urgent Educational Reforms

Wike, known for his performance in the education sector as Governor of Rivers State, has a unique opportunity to replicate that success in the FCT. He should focus not only on infrastructure projects like road construction but also on revitalizing public education by building quality schools, paying teachers their due salaries, and providing adequate teaching materials. His work as a governor could set a precedent for other states to follow, creating a lasting legacy in public education.

However, the malaise affecting public education is not confined to the FCT. Across Nigeria, many states have demonstrated a lack of commitment to improving the educational system. In 2024, 27 states refused to provide counterpart funding to access the N54.9 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Fund, which was meant to train teachers and improve infrastructure in public primary schools. Furthermore, 50% of schools in Nigeria lack basic furniture, including chairs and desks, and there is a critical shortage of teachers, with 194,876 positions vacant.

A National Crisis: Millions of Children Are Out of School

The consequences of neglecting education are severe. According to UNICEF, 18.3 million children are out of school in Nigeria, making it the country with the second-highest number of out-of-school children in the world. With only 12.4 million boys and 11.4 million girls enrolled in public primary schools, the situation is dire. States like Bayelsa, Ekiti, Cross River, Anambra, and the FCT report poor enrolment figures, with hundreds of thousands of children not attending school.

The education crisis is also reflected in the lack of technological investment in schools. The 2018 UBEC report revealed that public schools in the South-West region had 26% of the computers found in public schools, while other regions had between 1% and 5%. This is a stark contrast to global trends, where countries like China and the US are integrating artificial intelligence and computers into their educational systems.

The Societal Consequences of Poor Education

The neglect of education in Nigeria has far-reaching societal consequences. Poorly educated young people are easily recruited into criminal activities, while girls are often kidnapped or married off at an early age. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty, insecurity, and instability that further hampers national development.

The Way Forward: Learning from Edo State

Governors should take a cue from Edo State, where Governor Godwin Obaseki declared a state of emergency on public schools after touring the state and witnessing the dire state of affairs. This proactive approach can be replicated by other state governors to assess and overhaul their education systems.

They should look to the legacy of the defunct Western Regional Government under Obafemi Awolowo, who prioritized building quality schools, incentivizing teachers, and implementing free primary education. The government must invest in education, as it is the foundation for a prosperous future.

A Call for Leadership and Action

Nigeria’s elite, many of whom attended public schools in the past, have abandoned the system, sending their children abroad for better education. It is time for them to lead by example and invest in Nigeria’s public education system. They should no longer pay lip service to education but take actionable steps to ensure that all children have access to quality education.

Education is a fundamental human right and a key pillar of national development. Nigeria must commit to creating an educational system that fosters innovation, equality, and opportunity for all.