Quality Education and Financing Challenges in Nigeria

Abstract

The world continues to be a dynamically changing place and the changes over the centuries have and would continue to challenge the teaching and learning process. Meanwhile a nation’s vitality and commitment to economic development anchors on its Education strategy, the quality of schooling, and lifelong learning experience it provides the citizen amongst other vital developmental catalyst. Quality of education appear to have been south bound in recent years in Nigeria thereby challenging the substance of quality manpower development necessary for the development of the country. The purpose of the commentary essay is to highlight perceived gaps in the functionality of the educational system, specifically at the higher education level, to meet the developmental needs of Nigeria. The commentary focuses on the pivotal issues that underlie the disconnection including; curricula content and design concerns, pedagogic delivery methods, poor conditions of service for faculty, loss of self-esteem and dignity of teachers, poor education spendby government, strikes by teachers and students, and inadequate infrastructural and institutional support. The commentary suggest that finance is fundamental to quality education and requires urgent and concerted attention by society in view of government lack of capacity to continue to solely fund higher education, and specific recommendations are made.