A former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar, has urged the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  to invest more in education.

He also bemoaned allocation of $23B towards the construction of Lagos- Calabar  Coastal highway (.$13 B), and the Badagary- Sokoto highway ($9B ) at a time when the nation is gripped with education crisis and other pressing challenges.

He described it as a misallocation of priorities and embarrassing disconnects between infrastructural developments and the  pressing needs for education reforms.

Atiku stated this while speaking at the 2025 annual founders day celebrations of the American University of Nigeria  ( AUN) Yola at the weekend.

“What is even more appealing is that these projects were not preceded by the strategic planning and community engagements that our nation deserve, ” he said.

According to him, the effects of this is that we are directing crucial funds that should enhance our educational system to strengthen an infrastructure project that cannot tackle the complex socio-economic challenges we are up against in the long run.

He   stagnation in education will lead to dwindling economic power,escalating inequality and generations of youths unprepared for the tasks that await them. 

He further lamented that at a time when we should be positioning our country as a leader of thought, innovation and progress, we instead risks becoming a society that cannot formulates solutions to the pressing issues bedevilling us.

He added that modern education is not longer an option but a necessity and a powerful tool that can mitigate the proliferation of violence, poverty, disenfranchisement and reshape the narratives of our Nation. 

Atiku also said if given the opportunity, he will prioritise upgrading of school infrastructures across the country where every child has access to safe and well equipped classrooms.