Nigeria’s Education and Health Sectors in Crisis Despite Billions Spent – New Report Reveals

Nigeria’s Education and Health Sectors in Crisis Despite Billions Spent – New Report Reveals

By Segun Adeyemi | June 18, 2025

A shocking new report has exposed deep-rooted crises within Nigeria’s basic education and healthcare systems, despite the government pouring billions of naira into public spending. The 2024 Annual Report by Connected Development (CODE) reveals a grim reality: many Nigerians still face significant challenges accessing quality education and healthcare services.

Unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the report paints a bleak picture of the current state of social infrastructure in the country. According to CODE's Chief Executive, Hamzat Lawal, the findings reflect "a systemic collapse in the delivery of basic services—particularly in communities where people need them the most."

Alarming Stats from Schools and Clinics Nationwide

CODE’s field research covered 553 public schools and 784 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across 520 communities, 34 states, and 332 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The report reveals glaring issues, especially in teacher quality, school attendance, and healthcare delivery.

For instance, in Zamfara and Sokoto States, over half of the teachers have never received any form of professional development training. This lack of teacher capacity undermines student learning outcomes and raises concerns about the future of the education system in northern Nigeria.

Even worse, teacher attendance continues to drop in states like Rivers, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Adamawa, where classroom attendance frequently falls below 90%, making it difficult to maintain consistent learning for students.

Health Facilities in Poor Shape

The situation in the health sector is no better. CODE reports that many PHCs still lack basic medical equipment, trained staff, and adequate infrastructure. For millions of Nigerians, especially those in rural or underserved areas, healthcare remains out of reach or dangerously substandard.

The assessment discovered dilapidated buildings, drug shortages, and limited staff in many clinics, forcing residents to either travel long distances for care or go without it entirely.

A Call for Accountability and Reform

The 2024 Annual Report, themed “A Year of Active Citizen”, is part of CODE’s broader campaign for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance. Hamzat Lawal stressed that the government must prioritize investments not just in infrastructure, but in human capital and sustainable service delivery.

“This data is more than just numbers—it’s about people’s lives,” he said. “We must do better to ensure Nigerians have access to the quality education and healthcare they deserve.”

Citizens Need to Speak Up

CODE's findings also serve as a rallying cry for Nigerians to demand better governance. Through social accountability tools and grassroots mobilization, the organization hopes to empower citizens to play a more active role in monitoring how public funds are used.