NGO advocates increased investment in education

A non-governmental education organisation, Beta Nigeria, has called on both federal and state governments to urgently increase budgetary allocations for the education sector in order to effectively address the challenges of the sector.

The National Lead for Beta Nigeria, Abdulsalam Badamasi, made the call at a roundtable discussion with civil society organisations, journalists, and other key stakeholders to amplify the demand for educational reform in Abuja.

Badamasi insisted that the future of Nigeria could only be secured through improved investment in education at all levels.

He noted that investments in education would translate to the creation of a skilled workforce, economic growth, and innovation in the long term for the country.

He said the organisation would engage governments at all levels in ensuring that the menace of out-of-school children is tackled.

“We are expanding the framing in the education conversation; we are bringing in new voices.

“We call on our politicians, service providers, agencies, and parents to come together to see how they can increase a certain level of commitment and investment in education.

“We believe that once that increased investment is realised in education, most of the problems and issues in education can be resolved.

Speaking on inclusivity, he said, “Our campaign is going to be very inclusive and is going to factor in the voices of persons with disabilities, the voices of women, and also, of course, the voices of anybody that cares about education.

“The roundtables culminated Beta Nigeria’s first efforts, launched in January 2024, proving there was public interest in the initiatives and their potential to revitalise the Nigerian education system,” Badamasi said.

He added, “Our dynamic, youthful population is full of potential,” saying the crisis in the education system means millions face a bleak future.

“When all of Nigeria’s children are going to school, staying in school, and learning more, we will build a more resilient, more secure, and more prosperous country,” he stated.

Also, the former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investment, Maryam Uwais, emphasised the importance of advocacy because many issues regarding education relate to behavioural change.

According to her, people need to change their approach towards convincing parents, communities, and religious or faith-based leaders to engage with the value of formal education.

“I think this is a very good effort, and nothing is too much to get all our children back into school,” she said.

Speaking on out-of-school children, she explained that, “We need to find the words and sensitivities to culture; we need to bring them into our advocacy and campaign to engage with them and make them understand that it’s just a different kind of education that is critical for their children to grow and thrive in today’s world.

“Today’s context insists that we must have numeracy and the alphabet and a good understanding of that if we are going to even have skills.

“We need to sell our products in the market. If we leave the children with just one form of education, then they are going to be the ones that have been left behind, and there’s just so much more to formal education.

“The children grow networks; they have people to fall back on; they learn hygiene; they learn about nutrition; there’s so much more.”

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