The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has raised concern over a severe shortage of teachers in federal unity colleges nationwide, revealing that the schools are currently grappling with a deficit of over 3,500 qualified teaching staff.
Alausa disclosed this on Thursday while defending the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2026 budget proposal before the joint committee on education of the Senate and House of Representatives.
According to the minister, the shortage of competent teachers has continued to undermine efforts to deliver quality education and adequately prepare Nigerian students for global competitiveness.
He stressed that urgent financial intervention is required to recruit, train and retain qualified educators, noting that addressing the manpower gap remains critical to improving learning outcomes and strengthening the country’s human capital development.
The minister further lamented that federal schools are contending with multiple challenges, including insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate learning facilities, which he attributed to years of insufficient funding in the education sector.
He explained that several unity colleges remain unfenced and lack stable electricity supply, making it difficult to deploy surveillance systems and other security infrastructure, especially in regions prone to kidnapping and banditry.
“Our children must learn in safe environments. Adequate funding is necessary to install surveillance systems, construct perimeter fencing and implement other safety measures to protect students,” he said.
Alausa also highlighted shortages in classrooms, hostels, laboratories and libraries, adding that overcrowding, obsolete equipment and poor learning resources continue to hinder effective teaching and practical learning.
He urged the National Assembly to significantly increase funding for education, advocating a minimum allocation of 20 per cent of the national budget to the sector in line with UNESCO recommendations.
“Education remains the backbone of national development. Without adequate investment, schools cannot equip students with the skills required to thrive in the 21st-century global economy,” he stated.
The minister equally called for expanded investment in information and communication technology, including computers, internet connectivity and digital learning tools, to modernise Nigeria’s education system.
On government-sponsored foreign scholarships, Alausa proposed the creation of a ring-fenced scholarship account to prevent funding delays and shield beneficiaries from exchange-rate fluctuations by paying tuition and allowances in local currencies or US dollars.
He noted that many beneficiaries are indigent but high-performing students whose academic progress is threatened by irregular funding.
Alausa added that the 2026 education budget aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s policy priorities and the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with emphasis on improving school safety, expanding access for out-of-school children and strengthening teacher capacity nationwide.
Describing the budget as a roadmap for education reform, the minister warned that continued underinvestment would worsen Nigeria’s learning crisis.
“Investing in education is investing in the future of Nigeria. We urge lawmakers to prioritise the sector to secure the dreams of our children and the nation’s long-term prosperity,” he said.