Anambra leads as Soludo dedicates nearly 47% of N757bn 2026 budget to education

Anambra State has once again positioned itself at the forefront of national development under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, this time by setting an unprecedented benchmark in education financing.

In the 2026 fiscal year, the state earmarked a staggering 46.9 percent of its N757 billion budget for the education sector, placing it far ahead of other states across the federation.

The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, disclosed this in a statement while referencing a recent analysis which examined appropriation bills across Nigeria’s 36 states. According to the report, Anambra outperformed peers such as Enugu, Kano and Jigawa, while many other states fell significantly short of global education funding standards.

Aburime noted that the development is not merely about topping charts but reflects Governor Soludo’s deliberate and long-term strategy to reposition Anambra as a knowledge-driven economy.

He explained that the governor’s approach aligns with UNESCO’s long-standing recommendation that governments allocate between 15 and 20 per cent of public expenditure, or four to six per cent of GDP, to education.

By committing nearly half of the state’s budget to learning, Anambra has not only exceeded these benchmarks but also redefined what progressive leadership looks like in Nigeria.

Since assuming office, Governor Soludo has pursued an aggressive reform agenda in the education sector, backed by measurable outcomes. The administration has recruited 8,115 teachers, significantly addressing teacher shortages and eliminating the problem of understaffed public schools.

This has been complemented by the introduction of free public education from kindergarten through senior secondary school, removing financial barriers that previously kept many children out of school.

The impact of these policies has been profound. Public secondary school enrolment has increased by 47 per cent, while primary school enrolment has risen by 27 per cent.

These gains have contributed to Anambra recording the lowest rate of out-of-school children in the country, a milestone widely regarded as a critical indicator of educational inclusion and social progress.

Aburime further explained that the massive allocation in the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate and expand on these achievements. Plans are underway for the construction of new model primary schools in 30 communities that have never had public schools, with facilities designed to meet modern standards, including digital learning tools and sustainable infrastructure.

In addition, existing schools across the state are set to benefit from extensive upgrades under programmes such as the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB). These upgrades will include renovated classrooms, modern laboratories, libraries and ICT centres aimed at strengthening innovation and practical learning.

The state also plans to establish two new specialist tertiary institutions, expected to focus on engineering, technology and medical sciences, to better align education with workforce and global industry demands.

Beyond infrastructure, the Soludo administration is strengthening strategic partnerships to widen access and reduce costs. Collaboration with mission schools remains a cornerstone of the policy, with over N1.2 billion reportedly paid monthly to cover teachers’ salaries in these institutions. A new high-level committee is also being set up to explore deeper support mechanisms for mission schools.

The government is equally expanding bursary schemes for indigent university students, while intensifying its digital education drive through the establishment of additional smart schools, distribution of tablets and comprehensive teacher training in modern teaching methods.