DILEMMA OF EDUCATIONAL FINANCING AND CYNICISM OF NIGERIAN POLITICIANS

Abstract

The Dilemma of Educational Financing has been witnessed in academics and Non academics, traders and farmers. The issue in funding education in Nigeria has become a big scar which no one knows how to heal. ASUU started this fight since 1990, but it keeps deteriorating by the day because the politicians are using it as a tool to show their power. The questions still remain; how can this case be reverse?  Is the educational policy faulty or is it the implementation that is faulty? What are the implications of industrial action to Education? These are the issues explored in the paper. Based on a literature review approach, suggestions and recommendations were made to avert the distortion in the educational system; and the ineffective implementation engendered primarily by ill political will, lack of continuity of programs, and corruption. The situation has hindered quality of education and, until urgent actions are taken to review Nigeria’s educational system, its national aspirations will continue to be compromised. The paper also suggested that National Policy on Education should adopt the model practiced by Asian countries such as Japan, China and India which take the culture of the people into consideration and fulfill all the ASUU demands for the purpose of the provision of qualitative education and made compulsory and entrenched into the Constitution in order to encourage result-oriented implementation. Also there is a need for a strong anti-corruption framework to hold politicians and government officials accountable for their actions. This will help to curb the embezzlement of education funds and ensure that resources are effectively utilized for the development of the sector.