Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the nation’s progress in education as remarkable since Independence in 1960. In his national broadcast to mark the country’s 65th independence anniversary on Wednesday, the President said Nigerians now enjoy greater access to education and healthcare compared to the situation at Independence. However, despite these strides, Nigeria still grapples with one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world.
According to President Tinubu, the nation’s education system has grown from a modest foundation to a massive network of schools and institutions that continue to absorb millions of students. He highlighted the fact that in 1960, Nigeria had only 120 secondary schools serving about 130,000 students. Today, more than 23,000 secondary schools exist nationwide, showing how far the country has come in expanding access to learning opportunities.
The President further noted that Nigeria’s tertiary education system, which began with only two institutions the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology has expanded significantly. The country now boasts over 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education. This surge, he said, is evidence of Nigeria’s resilience and commitment to education as a tool for development, despite the many political and economic challenges the nation has faced over six decades.
Mr Tinubu emphasized that this rapid growth is not limited to education alone but extends to various sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, aviation, defence, and information technology. He described these achievements as signs of Nigeria’s determination to keep advancing, regardless of the turbulence it has endured, including civil war, military rule, and political instability.
Despite these gains, however, Nigeria’s education sector is far from problem-free. A funding crisis continues to plague tertiary institutions across the country. Recurrent threats of industrial actions by workers and lecturers have created instability in academic calendars, leaving students frustrated and delaying graduations. Just this week, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) gave the federal government a two-week ultimatum to address lingering issues.
At the heart of ASUU’s demands is the renegotiation of a 16-year-old agreement that was due for renewal as far back as 2012. The union insists that the government must prioritize funding for infrastructure, research, staff welfare, and the general improvement of learning conditions in universities. The prolonged neglect, they argue, has worsened brain drain as lecturers leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
The struggles extend beyond tertiary institutions. At the basic education level, Nigeria’s system faces even more daunting challenges. The country still has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, with estimates ranging between 13 million and 20 million. Alarmingly, authorities admit that the actual figure remains unknown, signaling weak data management and monitoring systems.
Factors such as insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, poor funding of public schools, poverty, and cultural practices that deprioritize formal education for children, have worsened the crisis. Frequent attacks on schools by bandits and insurgents have also forced many parents to withdraw their children, while others have simply lost confidence in the safety of the school environment.
While government initiatives such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) have provided some relief benefitting over 510,000 students so far education stakeholders argue that such measures are insufficient to address the scale of Nigeria’s problems. They insist that stronger policies, adequate funding, and deliberate strategies to bring children back to school must become urgent national priorities.
In his address, President Tinubu acknowledged the setbacks but urged Nigerians to recognize the resilience that has defined the nation since Independence. He noted that despite civil war, prolonged dictatorship, and socio-political upheavals, Nigeria continues to stand united. He described this as a testament to the courage and determination of its citizens to push forward against all odds.
He also stressed the importance of unity, reminding Nigerians that the country’s diversity is its strength. According to him, the system and bonds that hold the nation together are often tested by forces opposed to peace and development, yet Nigeria has always survived. He called for renewed efforts to build a “more perfect union where every Nigerian can find purpose, fulfilment, and accommodation.”
As Nigeria marks 65 years of Independence, the mixed realities of its education sector reflect both triumphs and disappointments. While infrastructure and access have improved, the unresolved crisis of out-of-school children and underfunded universities continues to hold the country back. Education experts argue that until Nigeria addresses these systemic issues, the gains of the past six decades risk being undermined by present-day failures.
For now, the challenge before the government is clear: it must find a balance between celebrating milestones and confronting urgent shortcomings. Nigerians, especially the younger generation, will be watching closely to see whether the promises of leaders will translate into genuine reform or whether the cycle of hope and disappointment will continue into the next decade of Independence.
