Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, argues that the nation’s educational struggles will not be solved by tweaking policies. Instead, he maintains that the federal government must focus on robust investment, stronger leadership, and better physical infrastructure.
This call to action arrives after the government admitted that its policy to decouple junior and senior secondary education has not yielded better results. Obi points to the 2024 and 2025 WASSCE statistics, where pass rates for English and Mathematics remained exceptionally low, as proof that deeper reforms are mandatory.
Obi highlights that education is essential for economic growth and human development. However, the 2026 budget allocates only 6.17 percent of total spending to the sector—a decrease from the previous year and significantly below the 15 to 20 percent threshold suggested by UNESCO. He finds it contradictory that the government prioritizes foreign travel over funding student participation in international STEM competitions, citing concerns raised by advocate Alex Onyia.
Drawing from his tenure as governor of Anambra State, Obi emphasizes that targeted spending on tools like laptops, internet access, and reliable power supplies can transform performance. He urges the current administration to shift its focus toward genuine investment in education, healthcare, and employment to secure the nation’s future.
