Bishop Akinlade Advocates for Increased Education Funding

During the 3rd session of the 12th synod, Bishop Olubunmi Akinlade of the Diocese of Ife, Anglican Communion, urged for increased investment in Nigeria's education sector. He warned that merely funding students without adequate support for lecturers does not address the systemic challenges.

Akinlade acknowledged the federal government's recent efforts to expand access to higher education, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which has disbursed billions of naira to support indigent students. However, he cautioned that without improved lecturer remuneration and working conditions, the interventions would yield limited results.

He highlighted the concerning trend of brain drain in the education sector as lecturers seek better opportunities abroad. Akinlade criticized the 2026 budget allocation of 6.1% for education, which falls short of the UNESCO-recommended 15-20%.

He called for sustained efforts to reduce the number of school children out of school and emphasized the need for a holistic approach to reform the education sector, including scholarships and bursaries for indigent students.