Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has disclosed that the state’s 2026 education budget allocation exceeds global benchmarks set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
According to the governor, Anambra earmarked 46.9 per cent of its ₦757 billion 2026 budget for education—more than double UNESCO’s recommended 15 to 20 per cent threshold for public education spending.
In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo said the allocation reflects his administration’s deliberate strategy to position Anambra as Nigeria’s education hub and a leading knowledge-driven economy.
The governor noted that recent budget analyses place Anambra ahead of several states, including Enugu, Kano, and Jigawa, in education funding relative to total expenditure.
“This level of investment demonstrates Governor Soludo’s unwavering commitment to transforming Anambra into a centre of academic excellence,” the statement read, adding that the policy aligns with UNESCO’s long-standing recommendation that governments prioritise education as a driver of development.
The state government highlighted tangible outcomes already recorded under the current administration, including the recruitment of 8,115 teachers, which it said has addressed long-standing shortages in public schools.
The statement further attributed rising school enrolment to the state’s free education policy, which covers kindergarten through senior secondary school. According to government figures, public secondary school enrolment has increased by 47 per cent, while primary school enrolment has risen by 27 per cent.
Officials say the combined effect of increased funding, expanded access, and improved staffing has helped reduce the number of out-of-school children in Anambra to one of the lowest levels nationwide.
The state government reaffirmed that sustained investment in education remains central to its long-term development agenda.
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