A comprehensive analysis of the 2026 appropriation bills presented by state governors has laid bare a worrying disparity in the priority accorded to education across Nigeria, with Akwa Ibom and Imo states recording the lowest allocations nationally.
The investigation carried out and reported by Punch Newspaper, which scrutinised proposals from 34 state governors, found that while a handful of states are making commendable investments aligning with international benchmarks, several others, including some of the nation’s economic powerhouses, are dedicating alarmingly low percentages of their budgets to the sector, potentially jeopardising future development.
The most striking figures emerge from the Niger Delta and South-East, where Akwa Ibom State stands out for its minimal commitment. Despite proposing a substantial total budget of N1.39 trillion, the state earmarked a mere N31.6 billion for education, representing a paltry 2.27 per cent of its total expenditure.
This is the lowest percentage allocation in the country. It was closely followed by Imo State, which allocated N60.623 billion from its N1.43 trillion budget, amounting to 4.24 per cent. These allocations place both states far below the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommendation that nations dedicate between 15 and 20 per cent of their total public expenditure to education.
The trend of underfunding extends beyond these two outliers, encompassing several other major states. Notably, Lagos State, the nation’s commercial centre with a budget exceeding N4.2 trillion, allocated only 5.87 per cent (N249 billion) to education. Similarly, Delta State, another high-revenue state, committed just 6.11 per cent (N105.086 billion of N1.72 trillion). Other states found to be allocating less than 10 per cent include Bayelsa (7.43%), Zamfara (7.55%), Niger (8.24%), Gombe (8.01%), and Adamawa (6.86%). This consistent pattern of under-investment across diverse geopolitical zones raises significant concerns about a broad-based deprioritisation of human capital development.
This landscape of underfunding stands in stark and dramatic contrast to the commitments made by leading states in the analysis.
Topping the chart is Anambra State, which has allocated a nationally unmatched 46.9 per cent of its N757 billion budget to education. They are followed by Enugu State, which has consistently dedicated over 30 per cent of its budget to the sector in recent years, committing 32.3 per cent (N522 billion of N1.62 trillion) for 2026. Kano State also demonstrated strong commitment, with 30 per cent of its N1.368 trillion budget, or N405.3 billion, set aside for education. These states are joined by others like Jigawa (26%), Kaduna (25%), Abia (20%), and Taraba (20%), which are meeting or approaching the UNESCO benchmark.
The analysis further revealed a transparency issue in several states where education funding is not presented as a standalone sector. In Cross River, Edo, Plateau, Yobe, Kwara, and Ebonyi states, the allocation for education is subsumed under a broader “Social Services” heading, which also encompasses health, housing, and community services.
This bundling makes it impossible to ascertain the precise financial commitment to schools, teacher salaries, and educational infrastructure. Additionally, while Osun and Ekiti states have presented total budget figures, detailed sectoral breakdowns highlighting specific education allocations were not readily available at the time of the review.
Furthermore, the governors of Borno and Rivers states are yet to present their 2026 appropriation bills to their respective Houses of Assembly, leaving their funding intentions unclear.
The wide chasm in education budgeting reveals a fundamental divergence in policy and vision among state governments. As the 2026 fiscal year approaches, the analysis prompts critical questions about long-term planning and equity. States investing heavily, such as Anambra and Enugu, are explicitly betting on education as the primary driver for future economic resilience and growth.
Conversely, the minimal allocations in states like Akwa Ibom and Lagos suggest a different calculus, one that may prioritise immediate infrastructure or other expenditures over systemic human capital development, with potential repercussions for literacy, employability, and social mobility for their youth in the years to come.
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