THE CRISIS IN EDUCATION AND THE DILEMMA OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the nexus between the education crisis and the constraints it imposes on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. The paper argues that, given the inaction in addressing the country's educational crisis and its negative long-term impact on national development goals, Nigeria may miss out on the SDGs. It points out that the Nigerian educational system falls short of all indicators measuring quality education and concludes that this poses a serious threat to achieving the SDGs, as various outcomes jeopardise each objective. To resolve the crisis in education and steer it towards promoting the SDGs, the paper recommends, among other actions, strengthening education policies, improving access and inclusivity, implementing curriculum reforms, enhancing security, and focusing on teacher recruitment, training, and motivation. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of technology and the establishment of partnerships, such as school-community relations, to improve infrastructure, training, policy reforms, and community-based collaboration for supervision, especially since formal structures have become ineffective. Furthermore, adequate funding needs to be prioritised to meet UNESCO's recommendations of allocating 4-6 per cent of GDP or 15-20 per cent of public expenditure to education, as well as initiating and implementing consistent and realistic education policies.