….Lagos Records Lowest Allocation a
At 5.3%
…None Of Six States Meets 26% Allocation Target
… Concerns Mount Over Impact On Schools, Learning
Daud Olatunji
All six South-West states have failed to meet the recommended benchmark for education funding in their 2026 budgets, raising fresh concerns over the region’s commitment to the sector.
An analysis of the approved budgets of Lagos State, Ogun State, Oyo State, Ekiti State, Osun State and Ondo State showed that none allocated up to the 26 per cent benchmark prescribed in the Federal Ministry of Education’s National Policy on Education.
Findings indicated that education allocations across the states ranged between 5.3 per cent and 16.4 per cent, significantly below the recommended threshold.
Among the states, Lagos State recorded the lowest allocation, with N234.6bn representing just 5.3 per cent of its N4.4tn 2026 budget approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This marks a decline from the 6.1 per cent allocated to the sector in 2025.
Despite the low percentage, the state earmarked funds for key projects, including N9.05bn for the construction and rehabilitation of public schools and N5.78bn for the building of 18 classrooms and toilet facilities.
In contrast, Oyo State posted the highest allocation in the region, dedicating N145.97bn, representing 16.4 per cent of its N892.09bn budget under Governor Seyi Makinde. The state plans to spend N13bn on the rehabilitation of 100 public secondary schools.
Similarly, Ogun State allocated N271.6bn, accounting for 16.3 per cent of its N1.67tn budget. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration listed the construction of classroom blocks in 10 primary schools as a major project.
Ekiti State followed closely with N67.44bn, representing 16.2 per cent of its budget under Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Part of the allocation will fund the provision of 9,000 chairs and tables for public nursery schools.
Moderate allocations were recorded in Ondo State and Osun State, which earmarked 12.3 per cent and 12 per cent of their budgets respectively for education.
In Ondo, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved N64.57bn, with plans to invest N7.11bn in the construction and rehabilitation of 500 basic schools.
Meanwhile, Osun State, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, allocated N87.17bn to the sector, including N1.98bn for the construction of an Early Childhood Education facility at the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun.
Although the South-West states outperformed their South-South counterparts—where only one state allocated up to 10 per cent—the persistent shortfall below the 26 per cent benchmark underscores ongoing concerns about education financing in the region.
Stakeholders say the trend could continue to impact infrastructure, learning outcomes and overall human capital development if not urgently addressed.
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