Peter Obi criticizes Nigeria’s federal government for spending N6 billion on National Assembly car parks while neglecting education. Highlighting low enrollment rates, Obi calls for reallocating resources to critical sectors like education
In a recent critique of the Nigerian government's fiscal priorities, Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has voiced strong concerns over the allocation of N6 billion for car parks at the National Assembly.
Obi’s statements, shared on his X page on Monday, emphasized the need for resource allocation to critical sectors, particularly education.
Highlighting the disparities in Nigeria's spending priorities, Obi pointed to the alarming statistics in the education sector.
He noted that while the global average for secondary school enrollment stands above 80 percent, Nigeria's rate is a mere 28 percent. Similarly, tertiary enrollment rates globally average above 55 percent, compared to less than 15 percent in Nigeria.
“As the giant of Africa that we are, I remain concerned about our fiscal indiscipline as a nation. Imagine the situation in our education sector, where the global average of secondary school enrollment is above 80%, while in Nigeria it is 28%,” Obi stated.
He further criticized the budget allocations, highlighting the stark contrast between the N6 billion earmarked for National Assembly car parks and the N1 billion approved for constructing hostels in 12 tertiary institutions.
Obi’s lament extends to other budgetary decisions, such as the N4 billion allocated for recreational facilities at the National Assembly. He argued that such financial misprioritization undermines the development needs of the nation, particularly in sectors that directly impact human capital and national growth.
“Approved for the construction of hostels in 12 tertiary institutions is just N1 billion. It is time for us to stop this financial indiscipline and embrace financial discipline by prioritising the allocation of resources to the critical areas of human and national development,” he urged.
Peter Obi’s call to action underscores the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s educational challenges and investing in the nation’s future. His statements reflect a broader concern about the direction of Nigeria's fiscal policies and their alignment with the country's developmental goals.
