Nigeria’s education system stands at a crossroads. As stakeholders gather to confront entrenched challenges, there is rising recognition that traditional funding approaches can no longer single-handedly sustain the demands of modern learning environments. A growing chorus of voices from alumni groups, civic organisations, technology leaders and education advocates is calling for creative alternatives to public funding alone. These thinkers believe that only through fresh models of financing can the nation unlock the true potential of its youth and secure robust educational outcomes.
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Alumni Action and Community Investment
In Lagos recently, the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, Lagos Branch, took a bold step in articulating the urgency of new funding mechanisms. At their 2025 Annual Luncheon, members set a target of raising N2 billion to build a permanent secretariat that will house programmes such as leadership lectures, conferences, community outreach and educational seminars. The occasion was more than a social gathering. It became a powerful statement that communities and alumni can help fill critical funding gaps in public education, particularly at the secondary level.
Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN), president of the association, described the initiative as part of a broader commitment to restore and modernise infrastructure at Government College Ughelli, drawing on the legacy of the school’s founding fathers. The ambitious target speaks to the depth of concern among stakeholders about the state of school facilities, classroom environments and support systems that directly shape learning experiences for students today.
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, who chaired the event, emphasised the wider stakes at play. In his remarks, he reminded guests that education is foundational to national productivity and governance. With Nigeria’s population surpassing 230 million, he said, public resources have not kept pace with demographic growth. Productivity, he argued, is rooted not only in educating young people but also in developing the right environment for lifelong learning and skills development.
His reflections brought attention to a broader reality in Nigeria that has long concerned educators and economists alike: the national budget for education remains insufficient to meet the needs of the sector, particularly when measured against global benchmarks. Many public schools still grapple with dilapidated infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of essential learning materials, making alumni-led support and other non-traditional funding sources both welcome and necessary.
The Role of Technology and Innovation
During the Lagos function, another key theme emerged: the transformative power of technology in education. Sunny Iroche, Chief Executive Officer of GenAI Learning Concept Ltd, delivered an insight-packed keynote on how artificial intelligence and other digital tools can revolutionise teaching and learning in Nigeria. He urged stakeholders to think strategically about equipping schools with technology that prepares students for the digital economy and global competitiveness.
Iroche highlighted the fact that African countries, including Nigeria, account for less than one per cent of global AI development. Without deliberate investments in technology education and digital learning infrastructure, he warned, Nigeria risks widening the gap between its workforce and the skills required in the high-growth sectors of the future. His call was clear: alumni associations and other community leaders must go beyond sentimental giving and engage in structured, strategic investments that include technology centres, debate arenas and innovation hubs.
This focus on technology aligns with broader trends in the Nigerian education landscape, where digital platforms like AltSchool Africa and Afrilearn are already reshaping how students access learning resources and develop practical skills. AltSchool Africa, a pioneering digital learning service, has attracted thousands of learners across multiple African countries and continues to expand its reach into creative business education and technology courses.
Meanwhile, Afrilearn offers a mix of animated lessons, exam preparation tools, coding tutorials, and personalised dashboards that support students preparing for national examinations. Such innovations demonstrate how private initiatives can complement formal schooling by bridging gaps and enhancing learning outcomes.
National Dialogue on Diversifying Education Funding
A few days after the Alumni luncheon, national leaders advanced the conversation at a high-profile education forum in Abuja. Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, highlighted that modern education systems demand more than government funding. They called for diversification of finance sources, urging federal and state governments, private sector players, philanthropists and communities to collaborate in building a sustainable model that can support every level from basic education to vocational and tertiary institutions.
Shettima noted that relying solely on traditional public financing no longer suffices given the complexity of modern educational needs. He argued for the involvement of industry leaders, alumni networks, and local communities in constructing laboratories, research hubs, innovation clusters and vocational centres that speak directly to Nigeria’s development ambitions.
This message mirrors other data showing how Nigeria’s education budget has been rising. According to recent reports, allocations to key education funding agencies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) have grown significantly in recent years. However, these increases still leave gaps that innovative finance models must address to ensure equitable access and quality across every level of the system.
Experts often point to the potential of blended funding systems where the public sector works alongside private investors, community stakeholders, philanthropic trusts and international partners. By mobilising multiple sources of finance, education in Nigeria can weather economic strains while scaling impactful programmes and infrastructure projects.
The Bigger Picture for Nigeria’s Future
The push for innovative education funding in Nigeria is not just a technical debate among professionals. It is a deeply human story about the aspirations of a young population eager to learn and contribute to national progress. With millions of Nigerians under the age of 30, the quality of education and the opportunities that follow are central to the country’s economic future.
But education does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broader ecosystem that includes economic growth, health outcomes, workforce readiness, and national competitiveness. When alumni associations invest in schools, they help preserve heritage. When technology entrepreneurs share insights on digital learning, they equip students for global realities. When governments open space for private sector collaboration, they invite fresh energy into solving persistent challenges.
There are real examples to draw from. Corporate Social Investment efforts led by companies like Seplat Energy and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation show that private sector engagement can support teaching and learning through innovative quiz competitions, awards and STEAM challenges that catalyse community involvement and student achievement.
Similarly, education innovation grants provided to NGOs reflect global interest in supporting scalable solutions within Nigeria. For instance, a Lagos-based group recently won substantial funding to expand its education programmes, reinforcing that international partners are keen to back initiatives that show promise.
These developments mirror a growing consensus among educators, policymakers and citizens: Nigeria’s path to a stronger education system cannot depend on a single source of funding. By welcoming new ideas and actors into the financing mix, the nation can offer opportunities that match the talent and determination of its learners.
The stakes are high. But the conversations and commitments unfolding today suggest a shift towards inclusive models of funding that draw on the energy of communities, the resources of the private sector and the creativity of a new generation of Nigerians. Through innovative approaches to education funding, the hope is to forge a system that is better equipped for the demands of the twenty-first century and beyond.
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