A group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), has criticised the Akwa Ibom State Government’s N31.6 billion allocation to education in its 2026 budget. The group described the allocation as inadequate and inconsistent with the government’s ARISE Agenda.
PAPAJ also urged the State House of Assembly to review the budget and increase funding for education to meet national and international standards.
The group pointed out that the N31.6 billion represents only 2.27 per cent of the state’s N1.39 trillion budget, far below UNESCO’s recommendation of 15–20 per cent of public expenditure for education.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Uyo, the group’s chairman, Dr Tom FredFish, and secretary, Mr. Savour Uko, said the allocation fell short of expectations and showed a lack of commitment to education.
They added that other states, such as Anambra, Enugu, and Kano, have committed much larger portions of their budgets to education, highlighting the contrast with Akwa Ibom.
The statement read:
“No serious government can claim to prioritise education while allocating almost 98 per cent of public resources elsewhere. Education cannot thrive on slogans or speeches; it requires real and sustained investment. Akwa Ibom is one of Nigeria’s most financially endowed states. There is no economic or moral justification for this level of neglect.”
PAPAJ warned that the consequences of underfunding education would affect the state’s youth, workforce, and future development. The group called on the government and the House of Assembly to urgently increase the education allocation in line with best practices.
“Anything short of this will expose the ARISE Agenda as a hollow slogan rather than a genuine plan for development,” the statement added.
