South-South states in Nigeria have failed to meet the recommended 26 per cent education funding benchmark in their 2026 budgets, despite benefiting significantly from oil revenue inflows.
The benchmark, set under the Federal Ministry of Education’s National Policy on Education, advises both federal and state governments to allocate at least 26 per cent of total expenditure to education, covering personnel, capital, and overhead costs.
A review of approved budgets shows that states in the region—Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, and Rivers—all fell short of this target. This stands in contrast to some South-East states, where education allocations were higher despite comparatively lower revenue bases.
In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori allocated ₦207.27 billion out of a ₦1.73 trillion budget, representing 11.98 per cent. While this is the highest allocation in the region, it remains less than half of the national benchmark. Major spending includes upgrades to tertiary institutions and ongoing education infrastructure projects.
Akwa Ibom allocated ₦94.41 billion, or 8.15 per cent of its ₦1.158 trillion budget. The state also faces concerns over transparency, as its budget documents reportedly lack detailed performance reporting, making it difficult to assess implementation of key education projects such as model schools.
Cross River set aside ₦92.74 billion, representing 9.6 per cent of its budget, with major funding directed toward classroom construction projects. However, previous budget performance indicates low execution levels despite significant revenue generation.
Bayelsa allocated ₦76.7 billion, or 7.52 per cent of its ₦1.02 trillion budget. Although the state recorded strong budget implementation in 2025, its education allocation remains relatively low compared to national expectations.
Edo State recorded the lowest commitment, allocating ₦59.72 billion, or 6.35 per cent of its budget, despite having one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the region. Key funding includes arrears for school construction projects.
For Rivers State, 2026 budget details were not publicly available due to ongoing political instability, though its 2025 allocation stood at 15.84 per cent—still below the required benchmark.
Overall, the findings highlight a significant gap between education funding targets and actual allocations in the South-South region, raising concerns about long-term human capital development and education outcomes.
