2026· International journal of research and innovation in social science· Vol 10, pp. 16542-16552· 0 citations
Abstract
Nigeria's educational policy landscape since the restoration of civilian governance in 1999 has been characterized by a paradox of ambitious legislative frameworks and persistent structural failure. This paper critically examines the trajectory of education policy and access to education in Nigeria from 1999 to 2024, covering 25 years of democratic governance. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, institutional reports from UNICEF, UNESCO, and the World Bank, and government policy documents, the paper evaluates the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme launched in 1999 and codified through the UBE Act 2004, the National Policy on Education (NPE), subsequent reform initiatives, and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) commitments. The paper argues that chronic underfunding, endemic corruption, institutional inertia, regional inequality, gender disparity, and the Boko Haram insurgency have systematically undermined educational access, leaving Nigeria as the country with the highest number of out-of-school children globally—estimated at approximately 18.3 to 20 million as of 2022–2024. The study employs a critical policy analysis framework, situating Nigeria's educational crisis within broader political economy debates about governance, federalism, and post-colonial state capacity. Recommendations are offered for evidence-based, equity-focused reform.
It is concluded that achieving equitable digital transformation in Nigerian education requires a shift from infrastructure-centred implementation toward an equity-driven strategy prioritizing teacher professional development, inclusive policy design, coordinated governance, and sustained public investment.
Surajudeen Sadiq, N. Orunbon, Isioma Stella Olagunju· Journal of Education and Lea...· 0 citations
The National Education Policy 2020 of India (NEP 2020) presents an aspiring programme to reposition the nation’s education system within the global knowledge economy while expanding the access of education, quality and inclusion. This paper critically examines how globalization has moulded the policy’s priorities, underlying assumptions and instruments. Drawing on policy sociology and literature concerning global education governance, human capital theory and neoliberalism, it explores NEP 2020 as both a national reform agenda and a response to transnational policy norms. The discussion focuses on technology-enabled learning, internationalisation, teacher development, flexible learning pathways, public and private partnerships, vocational education and performance-based accountability. The analysis indicates that NEP 2020 combines progressive commitments to foundational learning, curricular flexibility, educational access and international collaboration with market-oriented emphasis on competitiveness, institutional performance, employability and workforce development. This produces a persistent tension between education as an instrument of economic productivity and education as a public and socially transformative entity. The paper further argues that the policy’s ambitions may be constrained by the digital divide, unequal infrastructure, uneven implementation capacity, teacher workload and the continuing marginalisation of rural and socio-economically disadvantaged learners. It concludes that the success of NEP 2020 will depend not simply on adopting global standards, but on translating them through meaningful teacher participation, sustained public investment, culturally responsive implementation and robust safeguards for equity. India can develop a globally engaged education system only if internationalisation and innovation remain subordinate to the objectives of accessibility, inclusion and social justice.
Alokesh Sharma· Advanced International Journ...· 0 citations
This non‑empirical paper examines the proposition that educational planning constitutes the “live wire” of Nigeria’s educational administrative framework the essential conduit through which policy intent is transmitted, the circuit whose integrity determines administrative functionality, and the connection whose quality dictates the efficiency of educational energy reaching schools, teachers, and learners. Drawing on recent policy developments, government initiatives, and scholarly discourse from 2024 to 2026, the paper argues that effective educational planning is not merely a preliminary or specialized function but the core intelligence function that makes all other administrative activities meaningful. The paper analyses Nigeria’s contemporary educational landscape, including the Nigerian Educational Sector Renewed Initiative (NESRI), the DOTS policy framework, the BRIDGE digital infrastructure project, and the emerging strategic foresight approaches being piloted in partnership with UNICEF. It contends that persistent challenges inadequate and inequitable funding, curriculum instability, security threats to educational institutions, and gaps in teacher quality ultimately stem from deficiencies in the planning process rather than from failures of implementation alone. The paper concludes by proposing a reconfigured planning framework that incorporates long‑term strategic foresight, data‑driven decision‑making, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and institutional continuity as essential elements for transforming educational administration from reactive crisis management to proactive, sustainable development. By investing in planning as the live wire of the system, Nigeria can bridge the persistent gap between policy rhetoric and educational reality.
Paul Dr. ABUH, Shedrach, D. Ahmed et al.· MAU Multidisciplinary Journa...· 0 citations
The paper focused on Nigerian foreign policy in the fourth republic. Nigeria's return
democratic rule in 1999 was a watershed in the smooth transition from a civilian
administration to another. It established that Nigeria's foreign policy has been consistent but
with slight changes by successive governments. It particularly argued that the objectives are
being purposely defined within the context of the global development and reality. Using the
Theory of the State to interrogate the trend and pattern of events as it affected Nigeria, the
study adopted a qualitative and secondary method of data collection. It analysed how Nigeria
has remained very visible and played a very important leadership role in Africa in pursuit of
her national interest to consolidate her democratic experience. The study recommended that,
as a more robust matter of priority, Nigeria needed to formulate a foreign policy relevant to
her survival in both internal and external environments. It concludes by projecting a more
dynamic role for Nigeria in a globalised world, as the democratic experience has ushered in
an era of strategic, bilateral relations with several countries in the world.
Kamoru Ahmed Iyanda· JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE...· 1 citation
Uganda's transition to competency-based education and training represent one of the most significant pedagogical and regulatory reforms in contemporary African education policy. This article critically examines the legal and policy frameworks underpinning this transition at national, regional, continental, and international levels. Through a qualitative case study design employing document analysis and the IRAC framework for legal analysis, the study draws on parliamentary records, assessment data, labour market surveys, and recent scholarly literature. The findings reveal a fundamental implementation paradox: institutional compliance with regulatory mandates coexists with persistent deficiencies in applied competencies that competency-based education was designed to cultivate. Despite possessing one of the most progressive legal frameworks in Sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda faces significant challenges including definitional ambiguity in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act 2025, delayed issuance of subsidiary legislation for the Skills Development Levy, inadequate teacher preparedness, resource disparities across institutions, and weak industry engagement mechanisms. The study identifies three interrelated gaps: legislative ambiguity, institutional capacity deficits, and absence of outcome-based accountability. These gaps are compounded by regional and gender disparities, with labour underutilization reaching 58.3% among youth aged 15-19. The article concludes that sustainable reform requires moving beyond regulatory compulsion toward outcome-based accountability, genuine industry partnership, equitable resource distribution, and policy coherence across national, regional, and international frameworks. Evidence from across Sub-Saharan Africa confirms that legal mandate alone is insufficient without congruent resource allocation, pedagogical transformation, and sustained stakeholder engagement. The article offers targeted recommendations for legislative amendment, regulatory development, and equity sensitive implementation.
Mpaata Ibrahim Kaziba, Richard Wemesa, Joshua Mwesigye et al.· Journal of scientific report...· 0 citations
This study examined Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges using a historical research design supported by content analysis of relevant secondary sources, including textbooks, journal articles, policy documents, and constitutional provisions. The study was anchored on the need to critically assess the evolution, performance, and constraints of local government administration in Nigeria within the context of decentralization and grassroots development. Findings revealed that local government administration in Nigeria has undergone significant historical transformations, particularly from the colonial era through the 1976 Local Government Reform and the 1999 Constitution, which formally recognized it as the third tier of government. Despite these developments, the system has continued to face persistent challenges such as financial dependence, political interference from state governments, corruption, weak administrative capacity, and inadequate citizen participation. The study also identified emerging prospects, including democratic deepening, improved service delivery through decentralization reforms, increased civic engagement, and the adoption of digital governance tools. It concluded that although local governments in Nigeria possess strong potential for grassroots development and democratic consolidation, their effectiveness remains constrained by structural and institutional weaknesses. The study recommended, among others, that the Federal Government should ensure genuine financial and administrative autonomy for local governments by enforcing constitutional provisions and reducing undue interference from state governments. This will enable local councils to manage their resources effectively and deliver development projects efficiently.
Mavis Okeoghene Onojeghwo, Ovie Victor Otubue, Eloho Patience Oziwele· Journal of social sciences a...· 0 citations
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