National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the education sector, arguing that years of poor funding and weak leadership, rather than the structure of the junior and senior secondary school system, are responsible for Nigeria’s declining educational outcomes.
Obi stated this on Friday in a post on X while reacting to the Federal Government’s decision to phase out the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools after admitting it had failed to improve learning outcomes.
Obi wrote: “The Federal Government has finally admitted to its poor management of the education sector.
“Recently, the Minister of Education acknowledged that the policy separating junior and senior secondary schools has failed to improve educational outcomes.
“This is evident in recent examination results.”
He cited examination figures, noting that only 38.32 per cent of candidates passed both English Language and Mathematics in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, while about 32 per cent passed the computer-based WASSCE in 2025.
According to Obi, the results reflect a deeper problem within Nigeria’s education system.
He said: “This admission is tragic because education is the most vital contributor to human capital development, which forms the foundation for growth and economic development of any society.
“We cannot overcome economic stagnation without prioritising education, healthcare and job creation to lift millions of unemployed youths out of poverty.”
Obi also faulted the level of government investment in education, noting that the sector received N3.52 trillion in the 2026 budget, representing 6.17 per cent of total expenditure.
“This low allocation indicates a failure to recognise education as a driver of sustained economic growth,” he said.
He described as disappointing reports that Nigeria could not sponsor students to international science competitions because of inadequate funding.
“It is heartbreaking that the government can sponsor hundreds to irrelevant international conferences yet fail to support its brightest students on the world stage,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that the failure lies in implementation rather than the policy itself.
“The Minister’s admission reflects a broader failure of public leadership.
“The issue is not the JSS/SSS policy itself, but the lack of commitment to properly fund, manage, and deliver quality education,” he said.
Highlighting his record in office, Obi said sustained investment transformed education in Anambra State.
“In Anambra State, we proved that committed leadership can transform educational outcomes.
“Through effective funding, oversight, provision of laptops, generators, internet connectivity, and other learning aids, we turned the sector around.”
He added: “Our effort in providing computers across all secondary schools, both public and private, was recognised by HP Africa, which declared that Anambra had procured the largest number of laptops for school children of any subnational government in Africa.”
Obi urged the government to prioritise education, healthcare and job creation, warning that continued neglect would have lasting consequences.
“As I have always said, failing to do the right things is equivalent to abusing society, and the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us and our children tomorrow. A New Nigeria is POssible,” he said.
His comments came after the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government would phase out the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools after data showed that more than 20 million pupils dropped out before reaching the senior secondary level.
According to the minister, the policy failed to achieve its objectives due to the imbalance between about 80,000 public primary schools and only about 15,000 junior secondary schools nationwide, a gap that has contributed to overcrowding and rising dropout rates.
