**Education Minister Calls for Increased Funding to Transform Nigeria's Schools** In a bid to address the country's education crisis, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has urged the National Assembly to provide substantial funding for the education sector in the 2026 budget. Speaking before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, the minister highlighted the pressing need to tackle teacher shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and rising insecurity in schools across the nation. Dr. Alausa emphasized that investing in education is crucial for Nigeria's development. "Education is the bedrock of national growth and progress," he said. "We need to allocate at least 20 per cent of our budget to education, as recommended by UNESCO, to ensure our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to compete globally." The minister revealed that Federal Unity Colleges are grappling with a shortage of over 3,500 teachers, which is significantly impacting the teaching of core subjects like science, mathematics, and technical disciplines. He noted that the current budgetary allocations to education, ranging between four and 10 per cent of annual appropriations, are grossly inadequate. Dr. Alausa also highlighted the challenges posed by inadequate infrastructure, including a lack of classrooms, hostels, laboratories, and library facilities. Many schools are not connected to the national grid, leading to unstable electricity, which affects the use of modern security gadgets. He stressed the need to enhance security and ensure the safety of learners and teachers, particularly in the face of rising attacks on schools. The minister warned that efforts to promote a strong reading culture may be undermined by inadequate modern library facilities. He also noted that only a few schools have well-equipped laboratories, while consumables for practical lessons are in short supply. To address these challenges, Dr. Alausa assured the committees that the proposed budget would be faithfully implemented, delivering tangible outcomes that demonstrate the transformative impact of sustained investment in education. He called on the National Assembly to provide robust support for the education sector, emphasizing that the future of Nigeria's students and the country's development depend on it.