Malala Fund, Partners Call for 15% Increase in 2025 Education Budget
By Ndifreke Enefiok, Uyo
Malala Fund and its partners have urged the Nigerian government to prioritise education by increasing the allocation to at least 15% in the 2025 budget, in line with global standards.
The organisation emphasized that increased investment in education would transform the sector, unlock potential for girls, and build a more equitable future for all.
Chief Executive Director of Malala Fund for Nigeria, Nabila Aguele, in a statement noted that “Investing in education is the single most transformative step Nigeria can take to unlock the potential of girls and build a more equitable future. Girls in underserved regions, who have the most to gain from education, deserve dedicated resources to remove barriers to learning. The 2025 budget is an opportunity to right this wrong and invest in their future.”
The organisation highlighted the need to focus on girls’ education in underserved regions, noting that this deliberate investment is critical to addressing gender disparities, promoting equitable outcomes, and unlocking long-term economic benefits for the country.
Malala Fund also stressed the importance of adopting gender-responsive education budgeting (GREB) as part of Nigeria’s national strategy, adding that this framework would ensure investments address the unique challenges faced by girls, including poverty, insecurity, and socio-cultural barriers, particularly in marginalized communities in northern Nigeria.
Nigeria has historically allocated only 5–8% of its national budget to education, far below the 15–20% benchmark recommended by UNESCO, the organisation revealed.
According to Malala Fund, the 2025 budget offers an opportunity to correct this by ensuring dedicated resources are allocated to remove barriers hindering girls in underserved regions from accessing education.
The group pointed out that greater access to education could lead to higher GDP growth, healthier populations, and stronger economies. Research cited by the organization indicates that each additional year of schooling increases a girl’s earning potential by up to 10% and reduces the likelihood of child marriage and early pregnancy.
At the state level, the organisation disclosed some progress was noted. For instance, Kano State has allocated 31% of its 2025 budget to education, while Oyo State has dedicated 21%. These investments, the organisation stressed reflect an increased commitment to improving education outcomes.
However, Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa and Malala Fund Education Champion, highlighted the absence of specific budget lines for girls’ education.
“While these general increases may benefit all students, gender-specific challenges require targeted approaches to ensure girls receive equitable opportunities,” she said.
A baseline assessment conducted by Invictus Africa in Oyo State identified the absence of gender-responsive budget lines as a significant gap and recommended practical steps to address it.
To address these challenges, Malala Fund and its partners outlined six key demands for the Nigerian government, including federal and state governments, to consider in the 2025 budget:
They urged the government to increase the national education budget from 8% to 15%, with a phased plan to meet global standards within five years.
Provide targeted provisions for marginalized students, particularly girls, through dedicated budget lines and interventions, establish mechanisms to strengthen fiscal accountability, ensuring transparency and efficient use of budget allocations.
Develop a Gender-Responsive Education Budgeting (GREB) framework to address gender disparities in education, adjust funding models for equitable distribution based on population size and regional challenges, and focus on bridging gaps in school enrollment and retention to promote equitable education outcomes.
“By doing this, Nigeria can bridge gaps in school enrollment and retention, promote equitable education outcomes, and unlock long-term economic benefits. Girls’ futures and the nation’s progress depend on it,” the organisation stressed.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is expected to present the 2025 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 17, 2024, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.