Speaker Abbas Faults Reliance On Government For Education Funding

Oluwakemi Kindness

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for alternative sources of funds to finance education in Nigeria to reduce reliance on government resources.

The options, he said, include Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and endowment funds.

Speaker Abbas made the call at the weekend during the 31st and 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he was awarded in recognition of his “service to humanity.”

The Speaker, who was the Chairman of the combined AGM of ZEDA, urged the association to explore various opportunities, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Abdullahi Krishi.

“Diversifying funding streams is critical as well. By establishing endowment funds or engaging in public private partnerships, we can reduce our reliance on government funding. Successful models in countries such as Denmark and Ireland have demonstrated that diversified funding can drive long-term, sustainable growth in the education sector,” he said.

The Speaker said human capital development remains the cornerstone of our national progress.

He cited the examples of Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Denmark, which have achieved remarkable progress.

“They have done so not by relying solely on natural resources but by investing heavily in education, training, and innovation. Their success is reflected in their high rankings on the Human Development Index and ease of doing business.

“Nigeria, blessed with vast natural resources, must equally prioritise the development of its people to realise its full potential,” he said.

Speaker Abbas said Zaria’s rich educational heritage, which dates back to the 16th century, continues to be a source of pride and inspiration.

According to him, as the home to Ahmadu Bello University and numerous other institutions, that Zaria has contributed immeasurably to the intellectual and professional fabric of Nigeria.

While emphasising that “our shared heritage calls upon us to nurture this legacy for future generations,” the Speaker, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, said several new educational initiatives, which he attracted to his constituency would go a long way to enhance learning in Kaduna State and beyond.

These projects include a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a campus of the National Open University of Nigeria, and a College of Legal Studies.

“Once fully established, these institutions promise to extend significant educational and socio-economic benefits to our community,” Speaker Abbas stated.

The Speaker said that as Zaria celebrates these advances, it must not overlook the pressing challenges that impede educational progress. “We must address these challenges, especially in the realm of primary and secondary education,” he said.

While noting that the foundation of any thriving educational system rests upon robust, accessible, and quality basic education, Speaker Abbas said issues such as out-of-school children, those with special needs, and the overall quality of education demand urgent attention.

He said: “I commend the proactive measures by Governor Uba Sani’s administration in Kaduna State. The efforts have notably reduced the number of out-of-school children through the construction of over 62 new secondary schools, thereby addressing critical infrastructure deficits.

“Looking ahead, it is imperative that ZEDA continuously evolves to meet emerging challenges. Successful models, such as the United Kingdom Education Development Trust and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, have shown the benefits of embracing digital innovation.

“ZEDA should integrate technology in order to transform how we monitor educational outcomes, facilitate virtual training for teachers, and expand access to learning resources. By doing so, we can connect stakeholders, streamline processes, and enhance transparency.”

In the House of Representatives, the Speaker pointed out that the Legislative Agenda is aligned with these priorities. He said: “We remain committed to advancing universal basic education, enhancing secondary and technical education, and integrating innovative reforms that address both current and future challenges.”

Speaker Abbas hailed the Grand Patron of ZEDA , His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, LLD, for his “fatherly guidance and unwavering commitment have been a beacon for ZEDA.”

Later, Emir Bamalli thanked the Speaker and other prominent indigenes of Zaria for their developmental strides in the ancient city. The monarch emphasised the importance of ZEDA to Zaria, while seeking more support from stakeholders.