The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mathias Schmale has called on the federal government to give priority to education by increasing budgetary allocation to the sector by 20 per cent in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 4—universal, inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030.
Schmale spoke at the official launch of the Reports of Independent Evaluation of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 by the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo yesterday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The UN representative said both reports are the first of their kinds in Sub-Saharan Africa adding that they indicate Nigeria’s determination to establish robust institutional monitoring and support frameworks at national and sub-national levels.
However, he noted: “While the findings of these evaluations show some improving health and education outcomes in Nigeria, the reports also contain some worrying analyses.
“In relation to SDG-4 on quality education, it is, for example, concerning to note that Nigeria is unlikely to achieve the global agenda for universal inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030 if the current very low public investment in the education sector remains the same.
“The evaluation indicates that the right policies (especially around free basic education and gender) are in place but an increase in quality and access to education is critical. In the 2022 budget, there was an increase to 7 per cent on education but the evaluation says it will need to increase to 20 per cent with clear accountabilities on delivery.
“Similarly, government resources for health financing are inadequate for the achievement of SDG-3 targets related to good health and well-being. It is good to see that the recommendation of revitalising the primary health care has already started and its effectiveness will be enhanced with a clear plan and accountability on human resources and financing at state level.”
He said the business as usual approach will no longer be sufficient to deliver the goals and pledged the UN’s support to the federal government to achieve SDG-4.
“We are keen to identify truly transformative initiatives that will catalyse tangible change in the lives and livelihoods of the Nigerian people.
This new data will help determine which health and education programmes are really moving the needle. We can then look to expand, renew, and replicate them,” he added.
In his remarks, Osinbajo said the government will leverage existing institutional framework to promote stronger partnerships and synergies among stakeholders to achieve the SDGs.
He also declared that it is crucial to build the requisite commitment and incentive to prioritise and increase basic educational financing up to 12 per cent at all levels.
“On SDG-4 ‘Qualitative and Inclusive Education and lifelong learning for all’, the report noted that education sector policies and strategies, both at the Federal and State levels are aligned with SDG-4.1 target, particularly in the formulation of the plans.
“The timing of the use of appropriated funds is also important. State governments should take advantage of the UBEC matching grants by making the required contributions.
“Educational stakeholders are encouraged to develop and strengthen coordination mechanisms that can help tighten the collaboration with information sharing between federal and the state on the one hand and non-state actors on the other hand,” he said.
To resolve the challenges in implementation of Goal 4, Osinbajo said “transparency around education budgeting and spending needs to improve. Similarly, governance issues at the federal, state and local governments remain at the heart of education provisioning in Nigeria.”
While noting some loopholes in the implementation of the SDG-3, Osinbajo said stakeholders must synergise to “create a self-sustaining financial architecture, universal health coverage, improved clinical governance and a harmonious health workforce – all which should prepare us for the challenges of the 21st century.
“This must be accompanied by strengthening accountability mechanisms at the level of the state governments to improve resource mobilization,” he added.
He noted that achieving inclusive sustainable development is in tandem with the federal government’s desire to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
He promised that the government will keep promoting strong partnerships and facilities amongst its ministries, departments and agencies, and between development departments for coordinated implementation for SDGs in Nigeria.
