The National Association of Nigerian Students says the 8.8 per cent budget allocation to education by President Bola Tinubu is low.

“Having gone through the breakdown of the budget for the sector for the 2024 fiscal year, we have come to realise that a total of 8.8 per cent has been allocated to education,” said NANS’ senate president, Akinteye Afeez, in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement added, “While this amount is still low compared to the immediate needs of the student community, it is also important we appreciate the federal government for the inclusion of the student loan, which we believe will help our students greatly in catering for their tuition.”

The NANS official also urged the federal government to fully implement the budget allocated to the education sector in 2024. 

According to him, the funds must be used to cater for everything stated, and no indiscriminate diversion should be tolerated.

He noted that part of the reason why the sector had been suffering persistent setbacks over the years, aside from not meeting the global funding benchmark, was poor implementation and inadequate monitoring.

He added, “However, having said this, it is also most important that the federal government will strive to ensure the full implementation of the allocated funds for education. 

“The education sector has a lot of immediate needs that even these allocated funds cannot cover and, therefore, can not afford any form of inconsistency or corruption.”

Mr Afeez assured the federal government of the total support of the association’s leaders while pledging their commitment to ensuring the monitoring and effective implementation of the funds for education.

(NAN)