Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, are grappling with a significant education funding shortfall, spending an average of just $54 per student, compared to $8,500 in high-income countries. This disparity is highlighted in the World Bank’s biannual Africa Pulse Report for November, which underscores the persistent underinvestment in education across the region.
Despite recent increases in education spending, the report reveals that funding levels in Sub-Saharan Africa remain far below the required levels to meet both national and global education objectives. The region’s schools continue to struggle with a lack of essential resources such as textbooks, teaching materials, and technology, further hindering educational outcomes.
The report highlights that, on average, a girl growing up in Sub-Saharan Africa today will attend school for only eight years by the time she turns 18, significantly lower than the 13 years in high-income countries. This educational disparity poses serious long-term challenges for the region’s economic development and future workforce.
The World Bank also pointed out that the total investment in education is starkly different between Sub-Saharan Africa and wealthier nations. While high-income countries invest approximately $117,000 per student by age 18, governments in Sub-Saharan Africa allocate only about $1,900 per student over the same period. A significant portion of Sub-Saharan Africa’s education budgets is spent on salaries, leaving minimal resources for learning materials and infrastructure improvements.
The bank warned that the education funding shortfall threatens the region’s economic future, particularly as Sub-Saharan Africa is home to a rapidly growing population and a unique opportunity to harness its youth demographic. However, without substantial investments to bridge this funding gap, the region risks falling behind in both economic growth and human capital development.
In Nigeria, the Federal Government and 22 of the 36 states have earmarked N6.131 trillion for education in their 2025 budgets. However, this amount represents just 9.27 percent of the total planned N66.111 trillion budget, falling short of the benchmarks set by Nigeria itself, the World Bank, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The World Bank has called for urgent reforms, including increasing education spending, improving resource allocation, and ensuring access to quality education for all children, especially girls. The report notes that each additional year of schooling in Sub-Saharan Africa increases individual incomes by 12.4 percent, surpassing the global average of 10 percent, with women benefiting even more, gaining 14.5 percent.
The bank emphasized the need for reforms in foundational literacy, skills training aligned with local economies, and programs that facilitate the transition of youth from education to employment, urging governments to prioritize these areas for the region’s long-term development.
