Nigerian University Students Call On FG To Meet Education Budget

Students from various parts of the country have demanded the need for the Federal Government to strive to meet the threshold of at least 15 per cent budget for education going forward.

The students made the demands at the grand finale of the Nigeria Policy Hackathon organised by the Debate and Development Resource Center (DEDERC) Nigeria, funded by Heinrich Bolls, held in Abuja at the weekend.

The students from different universities made presentations on topics affecting the nation as regards education, importation, laws and governance.

 A presentation titled, ‘Team Learning Curve’ by students from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, stated that “The National Assembly through the committee on education should invite the University Service Commission and any other tertiary institution body to discuss the importance of issuing a circular to all tertiary institutions across the country in providing compulsory general course to all first year students on Policy and Strategic Studies."

According to the team, expertise should be applied in the drafting of Nigeria’s foreign policy to make it attract development to the country beyond what currently obtains.

They also recommended that: the enactment of a law to promote the export of both crude oil and agricultural products, investment in human capital development and electro-mechanical production were necessary for Nigeria’s economic development.

On its part, Team Zoba Advisory proposed legislation for climate change issues, including tax incentives to promote renewable energy sources and carbon capture as well as sequestration efforts that could help Nigeria move beyond fossils and achieve development in a changing climate.

“A bill of fully funded scholarships for researchers especially the youths (Master or PhD. scholars) be considered to hinder them from focusing on leaving the country, but motivate them in researching climate-related technologies that can help improve our economy,” the team added

Also speaking, Nile University -Team Pitch insisted that increased funding for education should be prioritised and deployed to teachers’ training; infrastructure at basic, secondary and tertiary levels, and learning aids.

According to them, education allows people to learn about their rights and acquire skills and knowledge, hence it is necessary for youth inclusiveness in politics and governance.

“There is a need to create policies that better respond to youths’ needs. Nigeria’s young people need to be actively involved in politics and governance. It is important to have youth represented among Nigeria’s decision-makers in a way that gives visibility to youth issues.

The constitution should be amended to reserve legislative seats at the federal and state levels, to which only persons below a given age (35 years or 30 years) can be elected,” the team noted.

In the same vein, Team ‘Lamba’ from the University of Ibadan, said addressing the three-delay model through the lens of gender inequality could speed up the reduction in maternal mortality rate projected to be less than 70 percent by 2030.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Policy Hackathon, Gabriel Rockwell, said the programme was organised because of observed gaps in the policy aspects in the country, ahead of the 2023 general election.

Currently, there is an election coming up and everybody is focusing on who is going to be the candidate or who are they going to elect. But if you look at democracy, there are aspects that are very vital to moving the country forward.

“We also need to come up with policies that would drive the country towards growth and sustainability. So, we sat back and take the technical aspect that no one is talking about. We want to talk about the policies by talking with young people across Nigeria