N29.44bn Education Projects Under Federal Co-operative College Budget Raise Questions

Questions have emerged over the implementation and accountability of education projects worth about N29.44 billion contained in Nigeria’s 2026 federal budget, after a review of budget documents showed that numerous classroom, hostel, ICT, library and educational material projects across the country were allocated under the capital budget of the Federal Co-operative College, Oji River, Enugu State.

The allocations cover projects in several states and the Federal Capital Territory, including classroom construction and renovation, school furnishing, ICT centres, educational materials, hostels, examination halls, libraries and other education-related interventions.

According to the budget review, the projects are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Act, with the relevant entries appearing across pages 731 to 761 of the budget document.

N29.44 Billion Allocated for Projects Across Nigeria

The Federal Co-operative College, Oji River reportedly received a total budget allocation of N226.77 billion for 2026, with approximately N225.63 billion earmarked for capital expenditure.

Of the capital allocation, about N29.44 billion was assigned to numerous projects located outside the immediate operations of the institution.

The projects reportedly span states including Enugu, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Niger and others, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

The development has raised questions about the relationship between the projects and the statutory responsibilities of the Federal Co-operative College.

The institution’s core mandate centres on cooperative education, training and management. However, several of the budgeted projects involve primary and secondary schools, universities, community libraries, examination halls and ICT centres located across different parts of the country.

Major Education Projects in the 2026 Budget

Among the largest allocations identified are N6.5 billion for the construction of lecture theatres, faculty buildings, hostels and perimeter fencing at selected locations nationwide.

Another N2.1 billion was allocated for the construction of male and female hostels in selected schools across the country, while N2 billion was earmarked for the construction and furnishing of technical schools in the South-West.

The budget also includes N1.4 billion for laptops and other ICT support intended to improve the academic performance of undergraduate students in selected communities.

An additional N1.05 billion was allocated for the construction and equipping of ICT centres in selected locations across South-South states.

Other notable allocations include N700 million for digital learning devices and smart resources for schools in Kogi Central and another N700 million for the renovation of selected schools in Enugu State.

Classroom and School Projects Across Different States

Several states received allocations for classroom construction, school rehabilitation and educational materials.

In Ogun State, multiple communities and educational institutions were listed for classroom furnishing and equipment, with individual allocations of up to N280 million.

Beneficiary locations and institutions include schools and communities in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne, Ado-Odo/Ota and other parts of the state.

In Rivers State, the budget includes allocations for classroom construction and school rehabilitation in selected constituencies, including projects in Rivers East.

Other projects include classroom construction in Benue, school rehabilitation in Ebonyi, classroom projects in Nasarawa and educational infrastructure in Lagos.

ICT and Digital Learning Projects

The budget also places considerable emphasis on technology in education.

Apart from the N1.4 billion laptop allocation, funds were provided for ICT centres, digital learning devices, smart educational resources and computer-based testing facilities.

For example, N175 million was allocated for a CBT centre in Katsina Central, while other allocations were made for ICT equipment and digital learning projects in different states.

The inclusion of ICT projects reflects the growing demand for digital resources in Nigerian schools as education systems increasingly adopt technology for teaching, learning, examinations and access to educational content.

Projects in Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and Other States

In Lagos State, the budget reportedly includes N280 million for the renovation of selected schools in Lagos Island 1 Federal Constituency and another N210 million for educational materials in the same constituency.

Renovation projects in Eti-Osa and Lagos Central were also allocated N140 million each.

In Delta State, allocations include classroom projects in Bomadi/Patani, ICT equipment for Ada Grammar School, teachers’ accommodation and other educational interventions.

The budget also contains allocations for educational materials and school rehabilitation in several constituencies across Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Ogun, Imo, Akwa Ibom and other states.

In Enugu State, funds were provided for projects including mobile science laboratories and school-related interventions.

University and Tertiary Education Projects Included

Although many of the projects target primary and secondary education, some allocations are directed to tertiary institutions.

The budget reportedly includes N245 million for 100-bed accommodation for medical students at the University of Delta.

There are also allocations for projects at institutions such as Olabisi Onabanjo University, Tai Solarin University of Education and Modibbo Adama University of Technology.

This mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary projects under the capital budget of a specialised cooperative college has further fuelled questions about project ownership and implementation responsibilities.

Educational Materials and School Equipment

The budget provides funding for educational materials in several constituencies.

Allocations include funds for textbooks, instructional materials, school bags, customised notebooks, laboratory equipment, science materials, sports equipment and other learning resources.

For instance, funding was earmarked for science laboratory equipment at schools in Cross River and Delta states, while other allocations covered educational materials in parts of Abia, Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos and other states.

Smaller allocations were also provided for school rehabilitation, teacher training, science laboratories, mobile laboratories and educational support programmes.

Concerns Over Accountability and Constituency Projects

The distribution of the projects has raised broader questions about Nigeria’s federal budgeting and constituency project system.

Constituency projects are intended to address development needs identified in communities, but concerns have frequently been raised over how such projects are selected, inserted into budgets, implemented and monitored.

In this case, the fact that projects covering schools and communities across numerous states were reportedly placed under the Federal Co-operative College could make it difficult for members of the public to identify the agency responsible for delivering and supervising each project.

There are also concerns about whether the projects underwent adequate needs assessments, procurement planning and feasibility checks before being included in the federal budget.

Why the Budget Arrangement Matters

For education stakeholders, transparent budgeting is important because funds allocated for classrooms, laboratories, ICT facilities, textbooks and other learning resources can directly affect the quality of education available to Nigerian children.

Clear responsibility for each project is equally important. When projects are assigned to an institution whose core mandate does not directly correspond with their implementation, questions may arise over monitoring, procurement, project delivery and accountability.

The reported allocations therefore highlight the need for greater transparency in Nigeria’s education budget and stronger mechanisms for tracking education projects from budget approval to actual completion.

As the implementation of the 2026 budget progresses, education stakeholders and citizens will be watching to see how the projects are executed, which agencies take responsibility for them and whether the communities listed in the budget ultimately receive the promised infrastructure and learning resources.