Strategies to Achieve A Stable, Adequate, and Sustainable Financing of Primary Education in Nigeria in This Decade and Beyond

Abstract

It needs not be overstressed that primary education is the foundation on which the other levels of education rest. It can also be likened to the gate of a building, which controls the entrants into it. In spite of the importance of primary education however, its financing has been unstable, inadequate and unsustainable in Nigeria. Over the years, primary education has been experiencing a ‘push and pull syndrome’ among the three tiers of government (i.e. federal, state, and local). Its financing has also been inadequate to meet its challenges while also becoming a burden for government to bear. This paper examines the history of primary education financing in Nigeria and in the process, highlighted the maneuvering among the federal, state, and local governments; the inadequacy, as well as the non sustainability of the financing. To achieve adequate, stable and sustainable financing of primary education in Nigeria in this decade and beyond therefore, joint financing by the federal, states and local governments, introduction of Education Tax for public service workers, increased participation/contributions by private sector, seeking the assistance of old students, organizing fund raising activities, engagement in agricultural activities, as well as ensuring accountability in the management of primary education funds, are recommended.

Keywords: Strategy, achieve, stable, adequate, sustainable, financing, primary, education, primary education, Nigeria, decade, beyond