Anambra State has emerged as Nigeria’s leading sub-national in education funding, with 46.9 per cent of its ₦757 billion 2026 budget allocated to the education sector.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, said the development reflects the deliberate policy direction of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, to reposition Anambra as a knowledge-driven state and a national benchmark for human capital development.
Aburime referenced a recent analysis by The PUNCH newspaper, which examined appropriation bills across Nigerian states and ranked Anambra ahead of others such as Enugu, Kano and Jigawa in education spending.
He noted that while UNESCO recommends that governments commit between 15 and 20 per cent of public expenditure to education, Anambra’s allocation far exceeds the global benchmark.
According to him, the massive investment is not merely symbolic but builds on reforms already implemented by the Soludo administration.
He disclosed that since assuming office, the governor has overseen the recruitment of 8,115 teachers to address staffing gaps in public schools, alongside the introduction of a free public education policy from kindergarten to senior secondary school.
“These interventions have significantly improved access to education,” Aburime said, adding that public secondary school enrolment has increased by 47 per cent, while primary school enrolment has risen by 27 per cent. He noted that the state now records one of the lowest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
He further explained that the 2026 education budget is designed to consolidate these gains through new initiatives, including the construction of model primary schools in 30 communities without public schools, as well as extensive rehabilitation of existing schools through the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB).
The upgrades are expected to include modern classrooms, laboratories, libraries and ICT centres.
Aburime also revealed plans for the establishment of two specialist tertiary institutions, likely in engineering, technology and medical sciences, to strengthen the link between education and workforce development.
He added that the state’s partnership with mission schools remains strong, with over ₦1.2 billion reportedly paid monthly to support teachers’ salaries, thereby reducing costs for parents.
In addition, bursary schemes for indigent students are expected to expand, while investments in smart schools, digital learning tools and teacher training will continue as part of the administration’s digital education drive.
Aburime said Governor Soludo’s education agenda is anchored on the belief that education is the foundation for economic transformation, social stability and long-term development. He maintained that the unprecedented budgetary commitment positions Anambra as a frontrunner in education reform and offers a model for other states to emulate.
He concluded that the administration’s focus on education underscores its broader vision of inclusive development and sustainable growth driven by human capital investment.