By Precious Amadi
An education sector stakeholder, Mr. Lenu Nwegeh, has voiced strong concern over the ₦315 billion allocated to education in the Rivers State 2026 budget, describing it as grossly insufficient to tackle the decaying infrastructure and systemic issues plaguing the sector.
Speaking during an interview with Exceed Media, Nwegeh highlighted that the 17% share allocated to education falls well below the 26% minimum benchmark recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for developing regions serious about sustainable growth.
According to Nwegeh, the funding deficit casts doubt on the state government’s commitment to delivering quality, accessible learning to its citizens.
He pointed out several pressing challenges that the current budget fails to adequately address like dilapidated infrastructure, teacher shortages and poor learning environments:
“The 17 per cent allocation to education in the Rivers State budget is too low. It falls below the 26 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO for countries that are serious about investing in education,” Nwegeh stated. “With the state of many public schools, this allocation will not be enough to rehabilitate infrastructure, employ required teachers, or improve learning conditions.”
Nwegeh urged the Rivers State Government to reconsider its spending priorities in future fiscal cycles, stressing that robust investment in education is the single most effective driver of human capital development and long-term socio-economic progress.
“Education remains the foundation of sustainable development,” he added. “I appeal to the government to increase budgetary allocation to the sector so that schools can be adequately equipped, more teachers employed, and the quality of education improved for the benefit of future generations.”
